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:
- Support for the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®)
- The importance of a well-trained and regulated industry to ensure safe and reliable plumbing systems throughout the state
- Laws and regulations pertaining to critical topics such as backflow prevention, control of Legionella, and abatement of contaminants such as lead, microplastics, and PFAS
- Support for water conservation efforts
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.
