38° and Clear
Image
Massachusetts Plumbers and Contractors Celebrate 'World Plumbing Day' with Beacon Hill Rally for Water Conservation and Safety Plumbing experts, contractors and top industry officials met with key legislators at the Massachusetts State House for the Annual Plumbing Industry Advocacy Day
Beacon Hill was `plumb crazy,' so to speak, on Wednesday as hundreds of plumbers, contractors and industry leaders celebrated "World Plumbing Day" on Beacon Hill by meeting with top legislators and policymakers to support policies that protect water supplies and encourage water conservation efforts.
"When we protect water, we protect life," said James Vaughan, Business Manager for Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12 of Boston. "There is nothing more important than water safety. Without it, what do we have?"
Members of Local 12, the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association and other industry groups met with nearly 50 lawmakers throughout the day, while speakers included state Sen. Patrick O'Connor, Sen. Pavel Payano of Lawrence and Eric Paley, Secretary of the Office of Economic Development under Gov. Maura Healey. Plumbing industry leaders meet annually with lawmakers on Plumbing Industry Advocacy Day to urge support for policies and legislation that protects water supplies, support union jobs, promote economic development and encourage safe job sites and training.
Joining Local 12 and the GBPCA at the daylong event were the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors of Massachusetts, as well as several Massachusetts regional plumbing & plumbing inspector associations. Among the issues discussed were:
- A bill to increase the safe and efficient reuse of greywater - wastewater from sinks, showers and laundry that can be treated and repurposed to conserve water;
- A bill to add plumbing inspectors to mutual aid agreements to strengthen emergency preparedness and disaster response by ensuring licenses plumbing inspectors are rapidly deployed during crises;
- Requiring water lead testing in schools and strengthening lead removal and disclosure requirements;
- Funding to upgrade aging water infrastructure
- Removing "forever chemicals" - known as PFAs - from contaminating drinking water, soil and consumer products;
- Creating proactive flood mitigation measures, including sump pump credits to help homeowners reduce flood risks;
- Requiring licenses for drain cleaners;
- Requiring sanitary bathroom facilities on construction sites to improve worker health and safety;
- Expanding geothermal and hydrogen energy opportunities to support innovation and supporting energy diversification; and
- Using Artificial Intelligence and technological advances to support, rather than replace, workers.
"Meeting with legislators to promote economic development and promote policies that conserve water supplies and protect public health is essential to maintaining healthy communities," said GBPCA Executive Director Andrew DeAngelo. "Massachusetts has some of the cleanest drinking water in the world and we need to keep it that way by protecting our world-class plumbing code and ensuring that only licensed, well-trained plumbers are building and servicing our homes and businesses."
Several lawmakers stopped by to meet with the plumbing groups, while plumbers, inspectors, contractors and other industry professionals went door-to-door to advocate for a variety of issues with lawmakers..
The plumbing industry, including manufacturing, wholesale and retail, has a combined direct economic impact in Massachusetts exceeding $759 million and supports over 4,600 jobs. The industry generates more than $335 million in annual tax revenue for the Commonwealth, while the service and construction side of the industry includes more than 11,000 Journeyworker licensees, 6,000 Master licensees, 5,000 Apprentices, 450 Inspectors, 1200 Corporations, as well as independent businesses.
