Today’s the day: associations encourage nationwide participation in World Plumbing Day
March 11, 2018 | By Jillian Morgan
Globally, 650 million people do not have access to safe water, reported the World Health Organization.
World Plumbing Day is here, and there are myriad ways to participate in this effort to increase awareness about the role of plumbing in health and safety.
The Canadian Institute for Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) have listed ways for Canadians and plumbing business owners to “join the wave.”
CIPH recommends hosting an event for customers or a community, educating students at a local school or fundraising for a relevant charity.
Articles in local papers and trade magazines, a social media campaign and motions of support in regional, provincial and national parliaments were among activities listed by MCAC. The association also encourages municipalities to issue a formal proclamation.
To participate online, CIPH and MCAC recommend adding the World Plumbing Day logo to a website or e-mail signature, as well as following the event’s social media accounts.
Effective plumbing infrastructure is limited or non-existent in developing countries, according to CIPH. The World Health Organization reports 2.3 billion people globally do not have access to an adequate bathroom.
According to CIPH, the earth’s population could grow by 3 billion in the next 50 to 75 tears, further stretching fresh water resources. Other statistics reported by the institute include:
- Canada represents 20 per cent of the world’s fresh water supply, and its rivers discharge 7 per cent of the world’s renewable water supply annually.
- Health problems related to water pollution are estimated to cost Canadians $3 million per year.
- Two thirds of Canadian water used in a home is used in the bathroom – with nearly 40 per cent flushed down toilets and 30 per cent used in showers and baths.
- At any given time, patients suffering from water-related diseases occupy half of the world’s hospital beds.
World Plumbing Day is held annually on March 11. It is an international event initiated by the World Plumbing Council. www.worldplumbing.org
