For the third consecutive year, in April 2024, IWSH returned to the heart of Lowndes County, Alabama, for an IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge to drive change in a region that has suffered from inadequate sanitation for decades.
Our focus has now expanded to providing further training and empowerment alongside indoor plumbing retrofits. In collaboration with the Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program (BBUWP), we are equipping local high school students with the skills needed to conduct the IWSH Household Plumbing Survey, an easy-to-use tool that identifies where skilled plumbers need to make repairs and update fittings, fixtures, and appliances.
Students with Black Belt Unincorporated Wastewater Program (BBUWP) President Perman Hardy
Over one week, these local students worked side-by-side with licensed plumbers, who applied the survey and then conducted basic repairs. The students not only gained exposure to the power of a career in plumbing, but they also established the foundation for a brighter, healthier future for their community.
From the first moment, enthusiasm and commitment were palpable. This year, IWSH team members Robyn Fischer, Randy Lorge, and Jed Scheuermann were joined by a committed and enthusiastic team of licensed plumber volunteers: Danny Walker from South Central Pipe Trades, Michael Lavoie from California, and members of UA Local 52, Pete Wingard, Matt Owens, and Jim “Jimbo” Thomas.
Our group established a training hub in Hayneville, AL, combining classroom instruction with hands-on experience. Throughout the week, six high school students surveyed 12 homes while plumbers performed much-needed repairs and upgrades in five homes that had previously been evaluated by students using an earlier edition of the IWSH Household Plumbing Survey.
Each repair was a step towards safer, more reliable plumbing systems, directly impacting the residents' health and well-being.
The project was more than technical work; it was about building relationships and community. During meetings with local school officials, the group discussed the potential for a formal plumbing program at the Lowndes County Career Center, akin to their successful welding course. Sustainable education programs like these can potentially transform career prospects for many young people in the area.
Lowndes County high school students are trained by IWSH Senior Director Randy Lorge
Part of community building is relationships with organizations like LIXIL Americas - a longstanding IWSH sponsor. Their continued involvement, from sending contract plumbers to participating in training sessions, highlighted the importance of collaboration in achieving long-term impact. Leveraging the IWSH Household Plumbing Survey, LIXIL will now replicate this service repair model with 80 more homes in Lowndes County.
As the team wrapped up their activities, the sense of accomplishment was mixed with anticipation. There are plans to further refine the training program, incorporating the plumbing curriculum IWSH developed for Navajo Technical University to continue the vital work of improving wastewater management in Lowndes County, AL.
This engagement demonstrated how dedicated individuals, skilled tradespeople, and organizations can come together to create lasting change. With the right tools and training, we can build a future where everyone can access safe water and sanitation.