Jefferson City, Missouri — Plumbing industry representatives from across the state gathered Tuesday at the state capitol for the first Missouri Pipe Trades Industry Day, a vital opportunity for plumbing professionals to engage directly with lawmakers and policymakers, providing firsthand insights and recommendations on legislation that improves public health, water quality, and economic sustainability. The event, organized by industry leaders and advocates, featured a display of cutting-edge mobile training capabilities, emphasizing the importance of plumbing professionals in safeguarding public health and water quality.
Multiple United Association (UA) training trailers were stationed at the capitol, providing an immersive demonstration of the skills and education required by plumbing professionals. The trailers offered hands-on experiences, showcasing the extensive training that goes into preparing highly skilled plumbers and pipefitters for a range of critical roles in water management, infrastructure, and public health.
By highlighting the critical role the plumbing industry plays in maintaining the infrastructure that supports clean water and safe plumbing systems, the event aimed to strengthen policy support for these essential services.
Attendees included a broad coalition of industry leaders and local professionals, including:
Missouri Pipe Trades Industry Day is part of the broader March4Water initiative organized by IAPMO, a national campaign that brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and communities to address pressing challenges impacting water systems. This includes combating aging infrastructure, responding to natural disasters, and ensuring the sustainable development of modern plumbing systems to meet the growing demands of both urban and rural communities.
“It’s vital to remind policymakers that the plumbing industry is more than pipes and fixtures — it’s about protecting the health and well-being of communities through education, innovation, and skilled labor,” said Mark Osmack, IAPMO director Government Relations. “This event in Jefferson City was a unique opportunity to showcase the work we do every day to ensure a better, safer future for all Missourians.”
IAPMO®, developer of the Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code (USHGC®) and Uniform Swimming Pool, Spa and Hot Tub Code (USPSHTC®), has posted online the 2025 Report on Proposals for the 2027 editions of these prospective American National Standard-designated model codes.
IAPMO® and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), now incorporating ASSE International and ARCSA International, to jointly advance and promote the mutual interests of education, regulations, design, specifications, installation, and inspection of plumbing systems, as well as training, testing and certifying qualified professionals to perform design work responsive to the need to conserve and protect water supplies, and reduce energy use connected to delivery and use of water.
IAPMO®, developer of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC®), has posted online the 2025 Report on Comments (ROC) for the 2027 editions of these American National Standard-designated model codes. The ROC includes the committee actions as discussed during the May 6-8 technical committee meetings, the electronic ballot results as balloted between May 19-June 16, and the Technical Correlating Committee actions on all comments received for the 2027 editions.