Trenton, New Jersey — Plumbing industry leaders came together at the New Jersey State House on Monday for the second Plumbing Industry Day, an annual event organized to provide expert insights to legislators and staff on policies that impact public health, water quality, and economic sustainability.
During meetings with legislators and legislative staff, the group focused on:
IAPMO was represented by GP Russ Chaney, former IAPMO CEO; Chris DeMarco, regional manager of Field Services; Jim Scarborough, senior director of Government Relations; and Carol Katz, Adam Guziejewski and Laura Gunn of Katz Government Affairs. Representatives from UA Locals 9, 24 and 322; New Jersey Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors; Mechanical Contractors Association of New Jersey; New Jersey State League of Master Plumbers; New Jersey State Plumbing Inspectors Association; South Jersey Mechanical Contractors Association; and New Jersey Association of Pipe Trades were also in attendance as representation from the entire plumbing industry in the state.
Plumbing Industry Days are part of the annual March4Water celebration, which unites policymakers, industry leaders, and communities to address the pressing issues impacting water systems, from aging infrastructure to the increasing strain placed on plumbing systems by such climate challenges as droughts, hurricanes, and severe weather events.
“Safe and reliable water systems don’t happen by chance — they require skilled plumbing professionals governed by effective codes and standards,” DeMarco said. “As New Jersey 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.”
The plumbing industry in New Jersey, including manufacturing, wholesale, and retail has a combined direct economic impact of more than $964 million[1]. Additionally, manufacturing in our industry supports more than 4,700 jobs, paying more than $316 million in wages and helps generate more than $416 million in tax revenue.
About IAPMO
IAPMO is a global team of experts engaging industry and government for a safer built environment. We offer codes and standards, including New Jersey’s own National Standard Plumbing Code, that serves as a consistent model for the state and the industry. Our deep expertise in codes and standards extends to rigorous product testing, certification services, professional development, and policy advocacy.
[1] Economic Impact
IAPMO®, a global team of experts engaging industry and government for a safer built environment, and its charitable foundation, the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH®), are proud to celebrate 10 years as a WorldSkills Global Industry Partner. IAPMO and IWSH celebrated the milestone this week at the annual General Assembly of WorldSkills International Members in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
A first-of-its-kind workshop for African World Plumbing Council (WPC) member organizations was held alongside the WorldSkills Africa 2025 capacity-building program for Plumbing, hosted at the Fountain Gate Craft & Trades School in Lusaka, Zambia, from Sept. 1-5. This workshop assembled a team of proactive WPC representatives from Zambia, South Africa, and Rwanda for a first in-person meeting of WPC member organizations on the continent.
ASSE International is seeking working group members to update four professional qualification standards: ASSE 13000 Standard for Service Plumber and Residential Mechanical Service Technician; ASSE 15000 Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems; ASSE 27000 Standard for Hybrid Fire Extinguishing Systems Personnel; and ASSE 29000 Standard for Personnel Related to Safe Pressure Testing of Piping Systems.