It looks likely that the second World Plumbing Day on Friday 11 March 2011 will see even more industry activity than on the first Day in 2010.

Plumbing organisations in several countries are making plans to mark the Day in the hope that they can draw attention to the important role which plumbing plays in relation to both public health and the environment.

Having launched the first World Plumbing Day at an event in Beijing, China last year, the principal World Plumbing Council (WPC) celebration this year will take place in Bangalore, India where a joint meeting has been arranged between WPC and the World Health Organisation (WHO). This event, which will be addressed by a range of prominent medical and plumbing experts aims to focus attention on the link between good plumbing and good health.

In addition, WPC has produced a Powerpoint presentation on water, health and plumbing for use with children in the 7-10 year old age range. This presentation (based on one which was trialled for World Plumbing Day 2010) is to be used by industry volunteers in several countries including USA, Canada, India and the UK. Copies of the presentation are available on request from the WPC Chairman (robert.burgon@snipef.org). Executive Board member Richard Prospal from Cleveland, Ohio, USA was the first to use the presentation when he spoke to some 300 children in a local school in late January. He reported a good reaction from the children (and also confirmed that he had enjoyed making the presentation). All of the children attending one of these presentations will receive a World Plumbing Day sticker and be invited to participate in an international poster design competition.

WPC is also preparing a short video message from the WPC Chairman which it is intended will be placed on YouTube and industry websites all over the world.

Plans are also being made for a week long programme of events in Victoria, Australia culminating in an Awards Ceremony on World Plumbing Day itself. The Institute of Plumbing South Africa is another WPC member which has plans for an event on 11 March 2011. Plumbing organisations throughout Canada are working together to promote the Day and early indications are that they are already receiving considerable press coverage. Another WPC member organisation, IAPMO has prepared a comprehensive list of World Plumbing Day activities which its staff and members will be involved in.

WPC Chairman, Robert Burgon comments that, “The idea behind having a single day to promote plumbing was very simple and it is already clear that this idea has sparked the imagination and enthusiasm of so many people in the global plumbing community. We will see it as a success if even a few people get to know that plumbing should be respected. My feeling is that through the wide range of activities being organised, many people all over the world will get this message and that is excellent.

Details of World Plumbing Day activities can be found on the special website for the Day (www.worldplumbingday.org)