The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) has joined forces with UA Plumbers Local Union 68 in Houston to address water quality issues in the city of Nome, Texas. The issues, which were aggravated by recent winter storm conditions, originated with damage to the city’s water treatment plant during Hurricane Harvey in August 2017.
‘Safer Water for Nome’ will be a two-phase project. In Phase one, 25 plumbers will train to become certified in ASSE 12060/12061: Professional Qualifications Standard for Water Management and Infection Control Risk Assessment for Building Systems. The Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Committee (HAPJAC) will host the training classes. Each participant will then take an ASSE International third party-administered certification examination.
In Phase two, the newly certified participants will perform water quality risk assessments for residents across Nome. Following the risk assessment results, IWSH and UA Local 68 intend to work together, planning and providing corrective measures for a contained group of homes and local public amenities.
Plumbers Local 68’s Director of Marketing and Recruiting, Jeremy Pavlich said: “By educating and certifying our contractors and plumbers in water-quality risk-assessment programs, our contractors will lead the way in the southern industry. We can be the go-to option, and help lead the way, so that public, industrial and residential communities have good water quality programs in place. This will give our area confidence that the plumbing industry is taking proactive measures to better their quality of life. IWSH is such a valuable part of this coalition, because of their influence on an international stage, and the attention and resources they can bring to our small community.”
IWSH’s North American Programme Director, Jed Scheuermann said: “Water quality is directly connected to quality of life. IWSH is thrilled to bring together our local Texan partners , including UA Plumbers Local 68 and Texas Women in Trades. They will be trained to the highest standards and equipped to address long-overlooked concerns, thus improving Nome residents’ water quality, making it better, cleaner and safer.”
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