The World Plumbing Council is asking for people to share their thoughts and say thanks to those in the plumbing industry by using #WorldPlumbingDay on social media.Plumbing is a crucial aspect of any building; without it, the world would be living as it did back in the dark ages. This is why, every year on March 11, the world stops to acknowledge the plumbers and all they do for us by celebrating World Plumbing Day. It was first established by the World Plumbing Council (WPC) in 2010.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 829,000 people are estimated to die each year as a result of unsafe drinking water and by 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas. In addition, it is reported that 35 per cent of First Nations communities in Ontario are under a drinking water advisory. To address this issue and in honour of World Plumbing Day, Wolseley Canada announced it will be donating a portion of all toilet sales to Water First, an organization dedicated to working collaboratively with Indigenous communities in Canada to address water challenges through education and training. “World Plumbing Day is a great opportunity to bring visibility to this important cause. Wolseley is proud to support sustainable clean water initiatives that will have a positive impact on so many Canadians,” said Sebastien Laforge, president of Wolseley. The campaign begins on March 11 and will run until March 31.
“Canadian plumbing and heating manufacturers and distributors provide the products and technologies that deliver clean, safe drinking water as well as comfortable and efficient home heating,” explains the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH), in a press release. “Modern plumbing and heating products allow Canadians to have fresh, safe running water and warm homes.”
Products like hands-free faucets and toilets can reduce exposure to germs and viruses, according to the association.
To celebrate World Plumbing Day, CIPH suggests those interested to host a special event, educating students at a local school, or fundraise or donate to a relevant charity. Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities to join the conversation through various social media channels. To spread the message, the WPC is asking people to share their thoughts and say thanks to the plumbing industry by using #worldplumbingday.
According to CIPH, there is an important link between good quality plumbing, health, environmental sustainability and, increasingly, economic prosperity.
Looking backwards
The word “plumber” derives from the Latin word “plumbum,” which means “lead” as in the element on the periodic table. Lead was used in early systems of the Roman Empire. Some historians theorize that too much lead in drinking water could have been a reason for the decline of the Roman Empire. They are famous for its use of aqueducts in its society.
For more information about World Plumbing Day and how to celebrate it, check out the World Plumbing Council’s website.