IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge: Plumbing Upgrades & Repairs

Transforming Lives Through Plumbing

Nearly half the world’s population lacks access to safely managed sanitation, including 2.2 million Americans.

These gaps aren’t just inconveniences. They pose significant public health risks. When schools, community centers, and healthcare facilities can’t operate without reliable plumbing, communities are vulnerable to preventable diseases.

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What is the IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge?

Clean water and safe sanitation begin with skilled plumbers and quality products. The IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge® delivers essential upgrades and repairs in communities that need them most. Plumbers, manufacturers, and community members work side by side to improve facilities such as schools, clinics, and well-being centers, where small-scale projects can deliver high-impact results. Each upgrade or repair completed by a skilled plumber helps protect public health and shows what’s possible when industry expertise meets local needs. 

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Small Projects. Scalable Impact.

IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge projects demonstrate that investments in skilled labor and quality plumbing can transform entire communities. 

Our model is simple: 
Skilled plumbers + quality products + community education = scalable WASH impact 

Every project we undertake serves as a practical model that communities can use to build and improve their sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene systems

Navajo Nation, New Mexico

Upgrading Plumbing Infrastructure for Elders & Community Hubs 

At a local senior center on the Navajo Nation, skilled volunteer plumbers replaced the water heater and installed water-efficient fixtures and appliances to support food preparation and daily services for community elders, restoring comfort, safety, and reliability. 

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Johannesburg, South Africa  

Restoring Plumbing and Sanitation Infrastructure at a Homeless Shelter

IWSH partnered with local organizations and plumbing professionals to repair and upgrade plumbing and sanitation facilities at a Johannesburg homeless shelter, improving access to safe water, functional toilets, and dignified hygiene for residents and staff. 

IWSH volunteers make plumbing repairs to Johannesburg homeless shelter

Bacone College (Oklahoma)

Improving Hygiene Facilities to Support Student Well-Being 

Access to clean laundry shouldn’t be a barrier to education. At Bacone College, a tribal college serving American Indian students, IWSH converted an unused classroom into a modern laundry facility, giving resident students a clean, reliable place to wash their clothes and focus on their studies

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Elevating the Plumbing Profession Together 

Every IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge depends on partnership. Manufacturers and industry donors supply quality products and fund licensed and qualified plumbers working in the field. 

100% of donor contributions go directly toward skilled labor volunteer coordination, project planning and design, safe installation, and community education, backed by the plumbing expertise of IAPMO.

When you support IWSH, you are funding plumbing projects that change lives while reshaping public perception of the plumbing industry.  

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Sponsorship Opportunities 

How Can Your Organization Help?

Download our 2024 - 2026 Program Guide 

A Global Platform for Industry Leadership 

IWSH Plumbing Champions gives manufacturers, associations, and other sponsors a visible way to showcase plumbing innovations while advancing social responsibility.  

Your support of IWSH turns high-profile industry events into lasting community WASH improvements, guided by the global plumbing expertise of IAPMO.