That was one of the main themes for the 11th World Plumbing Council Conference held at the International Conference Centre (CTICC) Cape Town, South Africa, 14 – 16 September 2016. Delegates gathered from all around the world to attend this major event on the plumbing calendar, attracting first class keynote speakers.

South Africa won the bid to host this event at the WPC conference in Edinburgh Scotland in 2011. The World Plumbing Council (WPC) aims to develop and promote the image and standards of the plumbing Industry worldwide. Some of the key aims of the organisation are:

● To encourage, participate in and facilitate the exchange of information, research and technology applicable to the world plumbing industry
● To promote plumbing education and training worldwide
● To promote the plumbing industry’s role in improving public health through the provision and protection of safe water and sanitation.

The two-day conference was crammed full of information, with key presentations concerning regulations for sustainable plumbing and the promotion of international standards. Breakaway sessions were also included highlighting water, sanitation, energy and environmental aspects relevant to the plumbing industry.

A keynote speaker at the Conference, Dr Doulaye Kone is Deputy Director, on the Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Programmme at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He manages a program focusing on innovation in science and technology to Reinvent The Toilet and the birthing of the new sanitation industry to serve the vast majority of people in developing countries who don’t have access to a toilet or to an adequate sanitation service.

A full WPC Trade Exhibition was held in conjunction with the conference which was represented by leading international brands as well as South Africa’s local manufacturers.

Before the commencement of the main conference the Triennial General Meeting of the World Plumbing Council was held. Key matters for discussion and consideration by the delegates at the meeting included:

● The election of the WPC Executive Board for the 2016 – 2019 term
● Consideration of the bid to hold the 13th World Plumbing Conference in 2022
● Presentation on the Community Plumbing Challenge 2016