The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) announced it will partner with UA Plumbers Local Union 68 in Houston in March 2021 to highlight and address water quality issues in the city of Nome, Texas.
The issues, which were aggravated by winter storm conditions, originated with damage to the city’s water treatment plant during Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, reported the press release. This pilot project is inspired by a student leadership initiative at nearby Hardin-Jefferson High School that sought to identify local water-quality issues and potential community actions that could address them.
“Safer Water for Nome” will be a two-phase project, according to the press release.
In Phase 1, slated to commence in March, 25 journeymen plumbers — nine of whom are contractors — will take training classes with the goal of becoming certified in ASSE 12060/12061: Professional Qualifications Standard for Water Management and Infection Control Risk Assessment for Building Systems. The Houston Area Plumbing Joint Apprenticeship Committee (HAPJAC) will host the training classes with a qualified instructor and each participant will then take an ASSE International third party-administered certification examination.
In Phase 2, slated to begin in April, the newly certified participants will perform water quality risk assessment for residents across Nome. Following the risk assessment results, IWSH and UA Local 68 intend to work together, planning and providing corrective measures for a contained group of homes and local public amenities.
