As the global plumbing community continues to tackle the challenges of sustainability, innovation, and workforce development, I’m thrilled to share that preparations are well underway for the World Plumbing Conference 2026, the 14^th such event. Themed “Worldwide Problems — Global Solutions,” the conference will take place in June in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in conjunction with the InstallerSHOW. This landmark event will bring together leaders and professionals from around the world to shape the future of our industry. I encourage all of you to mark your calendars and stay tuned for registration updates — this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

I’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Kevin Wellman, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), who was recently honored with the Industry Merit Award in recognition of 40 years of outstanding service and dedication to the plumbing and heating profession. Kevin’s lifelong commitment serves as an inspiration to us all, and we are grateful for his leadership and passion.

The World Plumbing Council recently had the pleasure of hosting David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills, for a productive conversation about the growing impact and future direction of global skills development. As WorldSkills celebrates its 75th anniversary, it’s remarkable to reflect on its evolution — from a small European competition in 1950 to a global movement advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Today, WorldSkills includes 89 members and 28 global industry partners, with widespread support from national governments, education systems, and industry leaders.

Our discussions focused on how the World Plumbing Council and WorldSkills can collaborate to craft a shared vision for the future of the skilled trades, amplify our global impact, and contribute meaningfully to Goal 6 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: ensuring access to water and sanitation for all.

A key theme was the importance of elevating plumbing as a respected profession through skills competitions and hands-on training initiatives in local communities. This vision took shape at WorldSkills Kazan 2019, where young competitors and expert mentors from the plumbing and heating sectors collaborated to build a much-needed washroom for a local orphanage. It continued this year with IWSH Plumbing Champions, a meaningful project to install plumbing and heating systems at a community art center in downtown Frankfurt. We are excited to explore how this model can be further expanded and adapted to benefit more communities around the world.

In addition to competitions, we also discussed how our partnership can support initiatives beyond the arena — including the adoption of emerging technologies, a focus on sustainable plumbing solutions, and the development of environmentally responsible events and exhibitions.

Thank you for your continued commitment to advancing the plumbing profession globally.

Dave Viola
Chair, World Plumbing Council

In a recent episode of the “Appetite for Construction” podcast, World Plumbing Council Secretariat Gaby Davis joined the conversation to highlight the WPC’s global mission and the critical role plumbing plays in protecting public health. From the celebration of World Plumbing Day to the growing need for skilled tradespeople, Davis shared powerful insights on why access to safe, clean water is not a privilege, but a fundamental human right. Don’t miss this informative discussion — listen now:

By Peter Paul Thoma, Chair of Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning Guild in Frankfurt

Legionella bacteria pose a significant risk in drinking water systems, especially within centralized hot water networks in large buildings. These bacteria thrive in water temperatures between 30°C and 45°C, particularly when water stagnates or biofilms develop in pipes, and can cause serious lung diseases through inhalation of contaminated aerosols. In Germany, strict non-chlorination regulations and a technical action threshold of 100 CFU per 100 mL necessitate precise system design and monitoring. Preventing Legionella requires a combination of maintaining high water temperatures, preventing stagnation, and minimizing biofilm buildup, all guided by European standard EN 806. Traditional methods, however, often lack precision and require high operator diligence.

A report submitted by Peter Paul Thoma outlines how advanced automated control systems are available to maintain safe water conditions continuously. These systems use temperature sensors, regulating valves, flow meters, and centralized data monitoring to maintain required temperatures across all loops, ensure regular water flow, and trigger flushing or backwashing when needed.

Read the report (PDF)

Submitted by David Creasey, Eng. Tec. Plumbing Services Design, U.K. Engineering

The release and airborne transmission of gram-negative bacteria during toilet flushing has been a known but often underestimated health concern since it was first visually documented in ultraviolet photographs from Westmead Hospital (1978) and the University of Arab Emirates (1992). These images revealed how flushing toilets—especially without seat covers—can propel bacteria-laden aerosols into the air, directly into the breathing zones of seated users and the wider room. Despite the availability of simple preventative measures, such as WC cover flaps or disinfectant-dosed flushing systems, many hospitals and public facilities remain inadequately equipped to contain these bacterial plumes.

Today, advances in UV sterilization and ducted toilet seat designs offer potential solutions for capturing and neutralizing bacteria at the source. However, institutional inertia and lack of testing opportunities hinder implementation.

This paper revisits the issue, calls attention to overlooked infrastructure risks, and proposes viable pathways for improved bacterial containment in sanitary environments.

Read the report (PDF)

The World Plumbing Council is proud to extend heartfelt congratulations to our deputy chair, Kevin Wellman, on receiving the 2025 Industry Merit Award at the Installer Show  —  a prestigious honor recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the plumbing and heating industry.

Wellman, who also serves as chief executive officer of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), was recognized for an incredible 40 years of dedicated service to the profession. This milestone marks a significant moment not only for Wellman personally but also for the many organizations he has helped shape and lead, including CIPHE and the WPC.

Throughout his distinguished career, Wellman has played a pivotal role in elevating standards, education, and professionalism within the plumbing and heating sector. A long-standing member of the WPC, he serves as deputy chair and is leading preparations for the 2026 World Plumbing Conference in Birmingham, United Kingdom — a landmark event set to bring global industry leaders together to share knowledge, innovations, and solutions for a sustainable future.

Wellman’s commitment to public health and industry excellence is further demonstrated through his foundational role in the WaterSafe approved contractor scheme and his 2023 appointment to the Court of Assistants to the Worshipful Company of Plumbers — one of the UK’s oldest Livery Companies.

On behalf of the entire WPC community, congratulations, Kevin, on this well-earned and meaningful recognition. Your leadership and lifelong dedication continue to inspire professionals around the world.

InstallerSHOW 2025 turned Birmingham’s NEC into the United Kingdom’s largest-ever live forum for installation and specification, drawing 31,000 industry professionals from 24-26 June.

Across more than 800 exhibitor stands, 100-plus CPD-accredited sessions, and The HAUS — a full-scale, two-story house build — visitors gained hands-on access to next-generation products, practical training, and procurement partners, underscoring the show’s status as the sector’s premier event.

Connect, Learn, Do Business

Standout features on the show floor reinforced InstallerSHOW’s reputation for hands-on innovation. Taking centre stage was The HAUS, a full-scale property erected at the heart of Hall 4 and officially opened by television presenter Laura Hamilton. Packed with the technological innovations in the built environment, the walk-through build drew continuous crowds eager to see whole-home solutions in action.

Across the venue, 11 live content theatres delivered more than 100 CPD-accredited seminars, panels and demonstrations led by industry leaders, technical specialists and well-known trade personalities. The popular InstallerTRADES zone returned with tool demonstrations and debates on frontline challenges across the construction industry, while theatres dedicated to HVACR, electrical, kitchens, bathrooms, building safety, surfaces, and more highlighted the sector-specific topics that are dominating the conversation around sustainability.

“This year’s show exceeded all expectations,” said Mike Costain, managing director of InstallerSHOW event organiser Lyrical Communications (part of Nineteen Group). “The buzz on the floor, the quality of conversations, and the sheer scale of engagement — from visitors and exhibitors alike — was incredible. It’s clear the industry values this platform as a place to connect, learn, and do business.”

Market Leaders and Household Names

InstallerSHOW 2025 brought together the biggest brands in manufacture and supply from across the built environment, including international brands such as Vaillant, Viessmann, Bosch, Navien, Hansgrohe, Häfele, Grohe, Geberit, Egger, and Wienerberger. Key distributors also participated, including Wolseley Group, MKM, City Plumbing, Travis Perkins Group, The IPG, and Wickes. The speaker lineup featured current and former government ministers and high-ranking officials — including Miatta Fahnbulleh, Sir Grant Shapps, Robert Jenrick and Bill Esterson — alongside former Olympic and Commonwealth champions, comedy legends, TV personalities, and ex-professional footballers.

What’s Next?

Planning for 2026 is well underway, with InstallerSHOW set to return to the NEC Birmingham from 23-25 June. Next year’s event will also host the World Plumbing Conference, a gathering of international delegates focused on exploring global solutions in the sector. Under the theme “Worldwide Problems — Global Solutions,” the international assembly will arrive on UK shores for the very first time.

In addition, InstallerSHOW will head stateside in 2026 with the launch of InstallerSHOW New York (18-19 March, Javits Center) — bringing everything that’s made InstallerSHOW the U.K.’s premier event to a U.S. audience.

InstallerSHOW 2025 by the Numbers

• 31,000 attendees
• 54% year-over-year growth in attendance
• 300 speakers across technical sessions, panel discussions, and seminars
• 100+ CPD-accredited sessions delivered
• 11 content theatres
• 800 exhibitor stands representing the full supply chain

Gurmit Singh Arora, national president of the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA), is spearheading a movement to elevate plumbing from a tradesman’s craft to a cornerstone of sustainable development — especially in water-scarce regions. Amid growing water stress, Arora told AhmedabadMirror that the IPA emphasizes the pivotal role of efficient plumbing in conserving resources and improving public health.

Through international collaborations with bodies like the World Plumbing Council and IAPMO, the IPA has introduced updated standards, including the 2022 Uniform Illustrated Plumbing Code – India and the Water Efficient Products — India 2024, aiming to align India with global best practices.

The IPA also champions widespread training and outreach. Its Indian Plumbing Professionals League fosters skill exchange across 28 chapters, while seminars, symposiums, and exhibitions raise awareness among professionals and the public. At the same time, the IPA partners with government bodies — including the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Bureau of Indian Standards — to influence policy and regulation.

By prioritizing smart plumbing solutions, vocational capacity-building, and regulatory engagement, Arora’s vision seeks to transform the plumbing sector into a powerful agent of water sustainability across India.

Read the interview here:

https://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/from-scarcity-to-sustainability-gurmit-singh-arora-leads-plumbing-innovation-in-water-stressed-areas/81892610.html

Submitted by Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ)

The Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) came together on Friday, 16 May 2025 to commemorate a milestone anniversary — 125 years of service and dedication to the plumbing and gas industry. It was a truly memorable event, made even more special by the members’ valued presence.

For more than a century, MPAQ has been the unified voice of Queensland’s plumbing and gas industry. Members benefit from robust advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. The association has a proven track record of influencing policy, shaping regulation, and securing better conditions for tradespeople and businesses.

The Hon. Sam O’Connor MP, minister for Housing and Public Works and minister for Youth, and Dominique Lamb, Queensland’s small business commissioner, were in attendance. MPAQ’s work with the government enables the association to advocate effectively on behalf of the industry and its members.

MPAQ past president and resident historian Bruce Wallace also shared exciting news: the development of the MPAQ Heritage Book, a publication that not only captures the heart of the association’s story but also honours the people and moments that shaped it.

The group photo taken on the day will serve as a meaningful memento of MPAQ’s past, present, and future, and will be included in the upcoming MPAQ Heritage Book.

Submitted by ISH/Messe Frankfurt

Frankfurt am Main, 27 May 2025 — Access to clean water and basic sanitation is among the most pressing challenges of our time. On 17 and 18 March 2025, the inaugural Value of Water Conference placed these issues at the heart of international dialogue. Held as part of ISH 2025, the event was organised by Messe Frankfurt in cooperation with Euroforum, a company of the Handelsblatt Media Group, and provided a central platform for future-oriented solutions. The focus was on UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.

The two-day conference offered an international forum for exchanging ideas on innovative strategies around water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). High-level speakers from academia, business, politics, and civil society addressed global challenges ranging from water scarcity and financing to circular building concepts and public-private partnerships in developing regions.

Stefan Seitz, director of Brand Management for ISH, captured the significance of the event: “The Value of Water Conference powerfully demonstrated that access to clean water and safe sanitation are global challenges that call for innovative solutions and cross-sector collaboration. At the centre of the discourse were urgent questions of water scarcity and hygiene, as well as practical solutions. Topics included technological innovation, sustainable water management, and best practices from around the world. Attendees used the various conference formats to engage deeply with experts and partners. Professional dialogue, interactive formats, and valuable networking opportunities underlined the importance of shared knowledge exchange. The conference provided a central platform for fresh impetus and practical solutions. The conversations made one thing clear: only through cooperation, innovation and sound political direction can sustainable improvements in global water supply be achieved.”

Key Topics of the Conference Programme

The two-day expert conference brought together international professionals from industry, politics, science, development cooperation, and civil society. The agenda centred on global issues in water and sanitation — from governance to building technology.

Day one focused on global frameworks and strategic levers:

• Re-evaluating water as a global economic resource
• International water governance in the context of the UN SDGs
• Financing and regulating water infrastructure
• Successful EU harmonisation of materials in contact with drinking water
• Public-private partnerships for sanitation solutions
• CSR strategies for underserved sanitation markets
• The influence of Indigenous perspectives on global water policy

Day two turned the spotlight on urban resilience and forward-looking building concepts:

• Blue-green infrastructures for livable urban districts
• Smart buildings and circular water systems
• Drinking water installations under climate change
• Circular economy in water management
• Nutrient recovery in the agri-food system
• Digital technologies linking water, energy, and urban development

International Thought Leaders and Experts on Site

The conference hosted an exceptional range of international thought leaders and practitioners. Among the nearly 50 speakers were:

• Henk Ovink (Global Commission on the Economics of Water)
• Doulaye Koné (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
• Erin McCusker (LIXIL)
• Hans Jürgen Kalmbach (Hansgrohe)
• Dr Hans-Otto Pörtner (WBGU / AWI)
• David Viola (World Plumbing Council)
• Arthur Valkieser (Hydraloop)
• Şenol Ağaç (Sustainable Water Consulting)
• Dr Kristina Bognar (Schneider Electric)
• Carolin Stüdemann (Viva con Agua)
• Neil Dhot (AquaFed)
• Herbert Dreiseitl (DREISEITLconsulting)
• Christina Eisenbarth (HydroSKIN)
• Rolf Stahlhofen (Water is Right Foundation)
• Yolanda Lopez-Maldonado (Indigenous Earth Systems Science)

Arthur Valkieser, CEO of Hydraloop, highlighted the value of the dialogue: “It was a great pleasure to participate in the Value of Water Conference during ISH. The discussion was lively and interesting, and the questions from the audience were an excellent contribution.”

Carolin Stüdemann, managing director of Viva con Agua de Sankt Pauli e.V., added: “The in-depth exchange on global water challenges was particularly inspiring. The potential and the solutions are there — and they can be realised through joint efforts involving both civil society and politics.”

Erin McCusker, senior vice president and leader of SATO and LIXIL Public Partners — LIXIL, also gave a positive assessment, emphasising the importance of cross-sector collaboration: “Taking part in the panel discussion and the conference was an enlightening experience, showing once again that solving WASH challenges requires a concerted effort among private and public sector actors. Addressing safe water, sanitation, and hygiene is both a societal imperative and a business opportunity. By innovating to meet the needs of underserved communities today — through smarter, more sustainable, and decentralised solutions — we build the tools, systems, and resilience needed to grow stronger economies and support communities in a changing world. I appreciated the sense of urgency and bias for action among participants. I hope the conversations catalysed by the Conference yield concrete steps and partnerships towards UN-Water and other rapidly approaching global milestones.”

The event also welcomed representatives from international organisations such as the WHO, OECD, KfW, European Commission, GIZ, and Oikocredit, as well as start-ups and researchers from Africa, Asia, and Europe. The conference was moderated by Tina Teucher, a renowned expert in CSR and sustainability. Complementing the main programme, breakout sessions offered hands-on insights into successful projects, technologies, and partnerships.

Sustainability Through Partnership

The Value of Water Conference 2025 was made possible by a strong network of partners. These included Euroforum (Handelsblatt Media Group), as well as supporting partners such as Hansgrohe Group, Grohe, Viega, and GFA-News.de — all of whom contributed valuable expertise, networks, and content to the success of the event.

Selected presentations from the Value of Water Conference will soon be available here:

Presentations | Building Technologies.

The next ISH — the World’s Leading Trade Fair for HVAC and Water will take place from 15 to 19 March 2027.

Submitted by BPEC

The BPEC Charity recently had the opportunity to witness the life-changing work being carried out by one of its long-standing beneficiaries, Aquabox — a Derbyshire, England-based charity that provides water filters and humanitarian aid to communities affected by disaster and conflict across the globe.

Aquabox is a volunteer-led organisation that specialises in assembling and distributing two vital water filtration systems. The Aquabox Family Filter delivers clean drinking water at a rate of 1 litre per minute, serving a typical family. The larger Community Filter, designed for schools, clinics, and wider community hubs, processes up to 6 litres per minute. Both systems use innovative filtration technology to remove harmful bacteria and pathogens, transforming contaminated sources into safe, drinkable water.

This year, the BPEC Charity has continued its annual support of Aquabox with a significant financial contribution to help fund the production and distribution of these filters. During a recent visit to the charity’s headquarters in Wirksworth, BPEC Chief Executive Neil Collishaw met with Aquabox volunteers to hear more about their current operations and aid missions.

One such mission includes a shipment bound for Nepal — comprising 10 pallets and 250 aid boxes packed with water filters and other critical supplies. Aquabox also prepared a response to the recent earthquake crisis affecting Myanmar and Thailand, quickly drawing up plans to dispatch filtration units capable of supporting up to 18,000 people with safe drinking water.

To date, more than 125,000 filters have been assembled and shipped by Aquabox, reaching over 50 countries and enabling the purification of an estimated 2 billion litres of water — a testament to the charity’s incredible global impact.

“Aquabox is carrying out such vital work around the world,” Collishaw said. “It was truly inspiring to witness the dedication of the volunteers and to learn about their latest efforts to deliver clean water where it’s needed most. We’re proud to continue supporting this remarkable charity through the BPEC Charity Fund.”

As a not-for-profit organisation, BPEC Certification Ltd. gift-aids its profits to the BPEC Charity each year. This means that every customer who works with BPEC is directly supporting charitable projects like Aquabox. By investing in BPEC qualifications and assessments, partnering centres are helping to deliver clean water, improve sanitation, and support communities in crisis around the world.

Find out more about BPEC’s charitable work and how we’re helping to change lives, one project at a time.  Visit: www.bpec.org.uk.

Do you know of an organization or individual interested in joining the WPC?  Share this link (https://www.worldplumbing.org/shop/) so they can join and become part of our global plumbing community!

IAPMO 2025 Annual Education and Business Conference
14-18 September 2025
Palm Springs, CA
www.iapmo.org

WaterSmart Innovations
7-9 October 2025
Reno, NV
www.watersmartinnovations.com

PHCC Connect 2025
27-30 October 2025
Grand Rapids, MI
www.phccweb.org

CIPHEX 2025
5-6 November 2025
Vancouver, British Columbia
www.ciph.com

Contact secretariat@worldplumbing.org to provide an event report or request listing of an upcoming event.