Quality plumbing is key to our health and safety
By Kathryn “Kitty” Maloney-LangmadeErma Bombeck once wrote that “a plumber can walk on water.”
Maybe not – but without highly trained, quality plumbing contractors and the clean-running water and sanitary systems they have developed, Arizonans would still have third-world status. Most of us take for granted that when we turn on the water, it will be clean and drinkable. Thanks in large part to the work of a well-trained, safety conscious plumber.
In honor of World Plumbing Day on March 11, we recognize how important plumbing contactors and plumbers are in our daily lives.
You probably don’t give a whole lot of thought to your plumbing…unless, of course, something goes wrong. A common stereotype of a plumber can be less than positive as it brings to mind a person whose sole purpose is to simply unblock drains, fix leaks and repair toilets. The work can seem tedious at times, but in addition to these routine tasks, a plumber plays a role in your families’ health and wellbeing.
Properly installed professional plumbing systems, maintained by quality craftspeople, are critical in ensuring that your health is protected. Unsafe water supply systems within buildings and ineffective sanitation could, and sadly does, lead to significant health problems and even death.
We are lucky to have plumbing contractors that provide our businesses and homes with backflow prevention systems designed to protect water supplies from contamination and pollution, allowing us to access clean water with the turn of a faucet.
In many developing countries, plumbing is either very limited or even non-existent. The lack of an effective plumbing infrastructure results in no safe drinking water and an absence of proper sanitation disposal methods, something that, sadly, is the situation for millions of people in the world. Water.org reports that 3.4 million people die each year from water sanitation and hygiene-related diseases. Lack of sanitation is the world’s leading cause of infection and critical to preventing diarrhea, which is the second leading cause of death among children under five worldwide.
Water is not the only element that plumbers work with. Many people don’t realize that plumbing contractors also are responsible for proper gas systems vital to the health care industry and the people it serves. Medical gas systems in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare centers can be very detailed and complex processes. The importance of having the proper training and certifications to ensure that medical gas systems are installed properly cannot be overstated. Incorrect installation, service and testing can lead to catastrophic results.
In addition to easy access and sanitation of water, along with essential medical gas systems, the plumbing industry plays a major role in water conservation. With an increasing global focus on climate change, more efforts are being made to incorporate more sustainable procedures, use and reuse and the installation of water-retaining equipment.
Keep this in mind next time you run your dish washer or flush your toilet or visit a healthcare facility. Without a plumbing contractor, you wouldn’t be able to do that. Without clear water you would not be able to bathe on a regular basis, or access water with a touch of a button, which millions of Americans do. On March 11, think about how lucky you are to have high-quality water systems – your life depends on it.
Maloney-Langmade is president of W.J. Maloney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. She can be reached at klangmade@wjmaloney.com. Since 1964, W.J. Maloney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has been a leading plumbing and HVAC contractor in the greater metropolitan Phoenix area. Working with many of the largest general contractors, the company has provided exemplary design build plumbing, from tenant improvement to complex multi-story projects that include many of the most prominent buildings in the Valley. W.J. Maloney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling also provides extensive commercial and residential service, maintenance and repair, and is Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certified. For more information, call (602) 944-5516 or visit www.wjmaloney.com.
