Transforming Lives Through Plumbing: IWSH Returns to Baca-Prewitt to Expand Community Impact

"Water is the way of our culture. Water is life."

Ruth Barbone, Baca-Prewitt Chapter Vice President in New Mexico, knows firsthand what it means when basic plumbing infrastructure doesn’t exist. Across the Navajo Nation, too many families still lack access to running water and functioning septic systems.

This latest IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge in Baca-Prewitt built on our successful 2024 projects, proving once again that small investments in skilled labor and quality plumbing systems can transform entire communities.

The IWSH Success Equation in Action

This IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge demonstrated our proven success equation: skilled plumbers + quality products + community training = scalable impact.

At a local senior center, skilled volunteer plumbers installed water-efficient fixtures and appliances to support food preparation and daily services for community elders. The most dramatic change happened at the Baca-Prewitt Chapter House, where residents had gone without a functioning water heater for more than five years.

“I’ve seen senior centers that are just run down, and their plumbing is horrible. So, a lot of senior centers are being shut down,” said Cassandra Calladitto, the senior center supervisor for the Baca-Prewitt Chapter.

IWSH volunteer plumbers added a public drinking fountain with a bottle refill station, giving the entire community greater access to clean drinking water.

In 2024, the surrounding area got critical septic system upgrades, too. The region's shallow bedrock makes traditional systems nearly impossible, requiring specialized pressurized mound systems that our teams have mastered through previous projects.

Why Technical Expertise Matters

L-R: Aaron Heitman and Chris "Woody" Burrell from UA Local 412

These aren't simple repairs. They are complex installations that demand deep plumbing knowledge. Backed by IAPMO, IWSH's parent organization, our solutions are sustainable and code-compliant, combining tested product advancements with proven installation practices.

“It's important to bring people that have a little bit more knowledge about some of the things that we're doing out here,” Calladitto said.

“We actually are learning a lot from IAPMO and IWSH, because you guys are certified people working (with our) codes,” said Cindy Howe, director, DigDeep Navajo Water Project.

“Understanding the plumbing code is vital. The plumbing code is there to make sure that everything is being done to a system that has been tested and tried and true and is well understood,” said Adam Koenigs, IWSH project manager.

When Navajo chapter houses can host community gatherings and senior centers can safely prepare food, entire social networks are strengthened. As community members emphasized in our video, clean water and safe sanitation are the first line of defense against illness.

Blueprints, Not One-Offs

L-R: Justin Risco, Local 68; Shane DeLong, Local 290; Adam Koenigs, Local 400 and IWSH Project Manager

What makes IWSH Community Plumbing Challenges different is our focus on creating replicable solutions. We document processes, train local stakeholders, and prove what works so other communities can adapt these solutions. Working alongside community members and partner organizations like DigDeep, we help local voices guide every decision.

Each project serves as a blueprint that can scale across the Navajo Nation and beyond. The families and elders in Baca-Prewitt prove that professional plumbing infrastructure isn't a luxury—it's essential for dignity, health, and community resilience.

With donor support, this work expands from one chapter to many more, demonstrating the plumbing industry's decisive role in addressing the world's most urgent water and sanitation challenges.

IWSH volunteers and staff at the Baca-Prewitt Chapter House L-R: Rebecca Greiff, Chris "Woody" Burrell, Shane DeLong, Robyn Fischer, Adam Koenigs, Jed Scheuermann, Aaron Heitman, Justin Risco

IWSH volunteers and staff at the Baca-Prewitt Senior Center, L-R Iggy Contreras, Adam Koenigs, Richard Martinez, Jon Flint, Sharolyn Robison, Sam Woolsey, Jed Scheuermann

Want to get involved with IWSH's transformative plumbing work? Download our 2025-2026 program guide to learn about global and North American opportunities to support communities in need.