Ontario, California – New Jersey has officially declared March as March4Water Month, recognizing the importance of strong water infrastructure, while California has introduced legislation to follow suit. These actions highlight the growing recognition of the need for policies that strengthen plumbing systems and safeguard access to clean, reliable water in the face of natural disasters and other infrastructure challenges.
Led by IAPMO, March4Water 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 droughts, hurricanes, wildfires, and other stressors.
“Safe and reliable water systems don’t happen by chance—they require skilled plumbing professionals governed by effective codes and standards,” said Dave Viola, IAPMO CEO and chair of the World Plumbing Council. “New Jersey’s leadership in declaring March as March4Water Month and California’s legislative action reinforce the critical role of plumbing in creating a safer built environment."
The plumbing industry plays an important role in creating jobs and energizing local economies. Nationally, there are more than 530,000 plumbers working across 127,000 plumbing businesses – most of them small, local businesses. Additionally, manufacturing in the plumbing sector directly supports more than 208,000 jobs in the United States.
Policymakers across the country are facing difficult decisions as they work to modernize plumbing infrastructure to maintain economic growth. IAPMO provides the expertise and technical guidance needed to help communities adopt solutions that balance safety, affordability, and long-term reliability.
To learn more about March4Water and how to get involved, visit www.uniformcodes.org/march4water.
In a recent Green Fire Times op-ed, Christoph Lohr, P.E., IAPMO vice president of technical services and research, makes the case that New Mexico is well-positioned to become a national leader in building-level water conservation. Lohr highlights Santa Fe’s proven conservation success, the state’s long-term water challenges, and the need for practical code solutions that help buildings reduce water demand while protecting public health.
ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI/CAN Series 22000-2026, Professional Qualifications Standard for Water Treatment Equipment Personnel, has been designated as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and a National Standard of Canada by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), and is now available for purchase in both English and French.
ARCSA International® has announced the launch of its Rainwater Harvesting System Certification Program, a comprehensive in-field certification program designed to verify that rainwater harvesting systems are designed, installed, and operating in compliance with ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI Standard 63.