Health and sanitation
27 organisations are bringing new ideas and resources to developing nations where the need for water and sanitation assistance, education, and accessibility is greatest. IAPMO contributes more than USD7-million in training and education, which allows for continued improvement of water security around the world.
These efforts by IAPMO are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Goal No. 6 is“ Ensure access to water and sanitation for all.” These goals are designed to encourage nations to meet basic standards under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Further, the United Nations General Assembly recognised sanitation as a separate human right to draw attention to the plight of millions living in areas without access to toilets.
Here at home, IAPMO works extensively to educate and inform both the public and the leaders of our community at all levels. They partnered with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to make flexible funding available from the Community Development Block Grants( CDBG) for the health and safety of low-income housing residents. In addition, IAPMO lobbies for better plumbing research. As part of the Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition, it advances initiatives for better water efficiency through plumbing techniques.
As we look around the world today, we see evidence of the importance of water conservation and accessibility everywhere. From the recent calamity in Flint, Michigan, related to lead in the water, exceptionally bad droughts in places like California and Thailand, melting of the snowpack at an alarming rate, and the desperate need of millions in developing nations for access to clean water and sanitation, the work of IAPMO and the core competency addressing water is truly essential. Through the actions of IAPMO, from policy and code changes and the training of service professionals to boots-onthe-ground training and education in all parts of the world, innumerable lives are being changed for the better. Therefore, I submit that while the other IAPMO core competencies are doing important work, the core competency focused on solar rainwater harvesting, grey water, and reclaimed water systems is making the greatest impact. PA
Efforts have been made since 2008 so that grey water can be used safely and extend the life of our water resources.
www. plumbingafrica. co. za August 2017 Volume 23 I Number 6