IAPMO Introduces WDC-Pro to Streamline Multi-Family Design
IAPMO® has launched WDC-Pro, a web-based tool designed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of water pipe sizing for multi-family, high-rise, and residential buildings.
Des Moines, Iowa — Plumbing leaders throughout the state came together at the Iowa state capitol Thursday for Iowa’s first Plumbing Industry Day to promote awareness about a profession so ubiquitous with modernity and public health it can be overlooked. Plumbing industry days are organized to bring together experts and champions within the plumbing community to provide firsthand experiences and recommendations to legislators and staff on policies that improve public health, water quality, and economic sustainability.
In conversations with legislators and legislative staff, the group focused on:
The Iowa plumbing industry includes manufacturing, wholesale, and retail and has a combined direct economic impact exceeding $426 million. Additionally, manufacturing in the industry supports more than 1,800 jobs, paying more than $112 million in wages, and helps generate more than $86 million in tax revenue.
Plumbing industry days are part of IAPMO’s annual March4Water celebration, which unites policymakers, industry leaders, and communities to address the pressing issues impacting water systems, from natural disasters to aging and over or undersized infrastructure that increases the strain placed on plumbing systems.
“Plumbing systems safely manage water and waste, ensure clean drinking water, and proper waste disposal,” said Ron Lord, IAPMO director of Field Services. “Without modern plumbing, diseases like cholera and typhoid could spread easily due to contaminated water sources and poor sanitation. Safe and reliable water systems don’t happen by chance — they require skilled plumbing professionals governed by effective codes and standards.
“As Iowa faces increasing demands on its water infrastructure, it is essential that we support policies that protect public health, promote economic opportunity, and ensure access to clean, safe water.”
In addition to Lord, IAPMO was represented by Mark Osmack, director of Government Relations, and Angela Caulk of Shine Strategies Government Affairs. Also participating were plumbing industry representatives from across the state: UA Locals 33 and 125; Iowa Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors Association; Mechanical Contractors Association of Iowa.
IAPMO® has launched WDC-Pro, a web-based tool designed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of water pipe sizing for multi-family, high-rise, and residential buildings.
The Austin, Texas, city council has formally adopted the 2024 editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC®) as the plumbing and mechanical codes of practice protecting the health and safety of the city’s nearly 1 million residents. The Texas state capital and 11th most populous city in the United States has utilized the Uniform Codes since 1974.
The Iowa Public Health Department has updated Chapter 25 of the Iowa Administrative Code, “State Plumbing Code,” from the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) to the 2024 edition. The update went into effect on March 26.