We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

logo
  • Engineers & Specifiers
  • Contractors & Installers
  • Wholesalers & Distributors

Follow Us

Newsletter Signups
Magazine Subscriptions
  • The Wholesaler
  • Plumbing Engineer
  • PHC News
Newsletter Signups
Magazine Subscriptions
  • The Wholesaler
  • Plumbing Engineer
  • PHC News
ASK PHCPPROS AI
  • PRODUCTS
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Fire Protection
    • HVAC
    • Hydronics/Radiant
    • Plumbing
    • PVF
    • Tools
  • PROJECTS
    • Commercial
    • Green Building
    • MRO/Retrofit
    • Remodeling
    • Residential
  • BUSINESS
    • Buying Groups
    • Technology
    • Associations
  • CODES & STANDARDS
    • ANSI
    • ASHRAE
    • ASSE
    • Regulations
    • Green Building
    • IAPMO
    • ICC
    • NFPA
  • RESOURCES
    • PROS REPS
    • Media Kit
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Classifieds
    • Digital Editions
    • Testimonials
    • Subscribe
    • Health & Wellness
    • AHR Expo 2025
  • DIGITAL EDITIONS
ASK PHCPPROS AI
Home » World Plumbing Day 2016: PMI CEO Barbara Higgens says industry’s role as safety sentinels more important than ever​

World Plumbing Day 2016: PMI CEO Barbara Higgens says industry’s role as safety sentinels more important than ever​

March 10, 2016

For World Plumbing Day 2016, March 11, Barbara C. Higgens, CEO/executive director of Plumbing Manufacturers International, published her views about why plumbing matters and what must be done to safeguard plumbing and water systems. Her article is titled, “On World Plumbing Day 2016, Our Responsibility to Assure Safe Water is More Important Than Ever.”

Written for the U.S. Water Alliance’s blog, Higgens’ article describes how Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards spoke at last fall’s PMI conference about his team’s efforts to call attention to the brewing crisis in Flint, Mich. In addition to raising concerns about lead in water, Edwards and his colleagues have published research about the potential dangers of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) that can develop in water systems and cause disease. The best known OPPP is legionella pneumophila, the cause of Legionnaires’ disease.

Higgens writes: “In remarks about OPPPs and Flint at our conference, (Edwards’) overall message was clear: We can’t take the safety of our water systems for granted, particularly as changes are made to current systems and newer kinds of water systems are introduced. Building more sustainable water systems with the best intentions can still result in unintended consequences if proper precautions are not taken. It’s the duty of those of us in the plumbing and water industries to make sure the potential consequences of change are thoroughly explored before going down the path unknown.”

PMI and its members have joined with other concerned groups and individuals to help mitigate the effects of the Flint crisis. PMI also advocates for the higher utilization of Water Sense plumbing products to save water.

 

Contractors & Installers Industry Community News Plumbing
  • Related Articles

    Barbara C. Higgens to Step Down as CEO/Executive Director of PMI

    In Celebration of World Plumbing Day 2015: Why plumbing matters to health, safety, water sustainability and more

    PMI To Honor Barbara Higgens at 2017 PMI Conference Dinner

  • Related Products

    Plumbing Engineer

    Directory Listing - Premium

Most Popular

  • New AWWA C901 Updated and Expanded Standard Now Available

  • 6 Steps to Resolve Steam Pipe Banging in a Historic Apartment Building

  • Navien WEC Series Tankless Electric Whole-House Water Treatment System

  • Watts Survey Reveals Low Homeowner Awareness of Backflow Prevention

Featured Video

Augur video

How to Use Flexicore Closet Augers - General Pipe Cleaners

Subscribe & Learn More

  • Tw07 2025 cover
    Subscribe
  • Pe07 2025 cover
    Subscribe
  • Phc07 2025 cover
    Subscribe
  • Digital editions
    Learn More

More from PHCP Pros

  • Editorial Team
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise

Follow Us

© 2025 All Rights Reserved

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development | ePublishing