The World Plumbing Council (WPC) has been designated 11 March 2013 as the third annual World Plumbing Day. The aim of the Day is to raise awareness about the critical role which today’s plumbing industry plays in relation to public health and the health of our planet and the environment.

The day coincides with the British Medical Journal voting ‘Plumbers’ as the greatest medical milestone since 1840, beating out Antibiotics, Anaesthesia, Vaccines and the discovery of DNA structure.

With an increasing global focus on climate change, the plumbing industry is again a major player in how society’s resources are managed - whether in relation to water conservation, use and reuse issues or in the installation and maintenance of equipment using renewable sources of energy.

Plumbing veteran and inventor, Alex John says many people underestimate the work plumbers do to protect the public’s health.

“We take sanitation for granted in Australia. The recent flooding in Queensland saw Brisbane City Council stockpile 40,000 one-litre bottles of water in case the taps run dry in seven suburbs and elective surgery and specialist outpatient appointments at one of Brisbane's biggest hospitals was suspended until water supplies returned to normal.  These disasters reminds us that clean water and sanitation are a vital part of our health,” explained Alex.

According to the World Health Organisation:

  • 1.1 billion people do not have access to safe water supplies
  • 2.6 billion people do not have access to improved sanitation
  • 3.1 million children die each year from water related diseases

Alex John will join the International World Plumbing Day celebrations, where he will share his unique time-saving invention with the world. After 15 years in the plumbing industry Alex developed bendable silicone nozzles for caulking guns, which helps when applying silicone in hard-to-reach places.

“In reality, professional plumbing properly installed and maintained, is critical in ensuring that our health is protected. Unsafe water supply systems within buildings and ineffective sanitation can lead to significant health problems and even death.  The kudos from the British Medical Journal sounds way out, but when you think about it, plumbers are pretty critical to the way we all live now,” Alex added.