Our Approach: How We Create Change Through Plumbing Expertise

The IWSH Model in Action  

Every project of the International Water Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH®) begins with collaboration.

We connect skilled plumbers, manufacturers, technical experts, and community partners with the global plumbing expertise of IAPMO to deliver clean drinking water, safer sanitation, and new career pathways.

Our proven success equation guides every effort:

Well-planned projects + skilled plumbers + quality products + community education = scalable, measurable change

Through this model, IWSH projects demonstrate how modern plumbing can protect health, conserve resources, and open doors to opportunity, creating lasting benefits for communities and the industry alike. 

Plumbing Upgrades & Repairs

Transforming Communities, One Connection at a Time 

Clean water and safe sanitation begin with skilled plumbers and quality products. Through the IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge®, plumbing professionals, manufacturers, and local partners deliver essential upgrades and repairs where they’re needed most.  

See how we protect health and dignity through safer water and sanitation projects that prove how investments in skilled labor and quality plumbing can transform entire communities. 

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Skills Demonstrations  

Inspiring the Next Generation of Plumbing Professionals 

At major trade shows and global skills competitions, IWSH Plumbing Champions brings together apprentices, mentors, and manufacturers to demonstrate how plumbing advances public health, sustainability, and economic opportunity. 

What begins as a live demonstration becomes lasting infrastructure for local communities—and inspiration for future plumbers. 

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Workforce Development 

Introducing Plumbing Careers for a Healthier World 

Workforce development and local capacity building is built into every IWSH project. From hands-on instruction during installations to entry-level education programs, IWSH introduces youth and community job seekers to plumbing, a profession that changes lives for those who learn the trade, and for the communities they serve. 

Explore how IWSH equips new plumbers with the skills to build sustainable futures. 

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Discover how IWSH projects are improving access to clean water, sanitation, and career opportunities around the world.  Download our latest Impact Report to see measurable results, inspiring stories, and the power of plumbing expertise in action.