News About Health & Safety

• 07.21.11
  PMI Praises California’s Lead Testing Results –

  Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) members' products successfully passed the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC)'s first testing for reduced lead content in drinking water faucets, pipes and pipefittings. Read the news release by clicking here.

• 06.01.11
  PMI presents Legislator of the Year Awards to supporters of Reduction of Lead in Water Act –

  Members of the Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) Executive Committee and PMI Executive Director Barbara C. Higgens traveled to Washington, D.C., to present Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and James Inhofe (R-OK) and Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI) with the Legislator of the Year awards. These elected officials were recognized for their leadership and support of the PMI-supported Reduction of Lead in Water Act signed into law Jan. 4 by President Barack Obama (P.L.111-380). The bill harmonizes the 0.25% maximum lead content of plumbing products and provides a 36-month implementation period.

• 04.07.11
  PMI Statement on Johns Hopkins Study –

  Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) became aware of the Johns Hopkins study on the use of hands-free faucets in hospitals via the news media on March 31. We have reached out to Dr. Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H., senior study investigator and infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins, to obtain a copy of the study for our review and input. Without having seen the study, it is difficult for us to identify how, if at all, their findings apply to the products our members manufacture. We can say with confidence, however, that our products meet the highest industry standards and that hands-free faucets have been safely in use around the world for decades, and have provided many benefits, including water conservation and minimizing the spread of germs from contact. We constantly seek to improve industry standards and performance and look forward to working with the team at Johns Hopkins to review and discuss their findings.

  Read the letter from PMI to Dr. Maragakis. (pdf)

• 03.23.11
  Teens raise funds, awareness about water –

  In Wilton, Connecticut, teenagers are tackling safe water issues. For one dollar, the cost of a donut, candy bar or a 12-ounce soda, UNICEF can provide a thirsty child with 40 days of clean drinking water. The fund has estimated that 4,100 children die every day from water-related diseases. Through a national UNICEF campaign called Tap Project, Emmeline George and her peers from Wilton High School raise funds to increase the access to safe water for children in developing countries. As well as distributing fliers and making announcements during school, the teenagers have been recruiting local restaurants to participate in World Water Week. From March 20 to 26, those restaurants will encourage their patrons to donate $1 for tap water, with proceeds from the campaign going specifically to support efforts in Togo, Central African Republic and Vietnam. In past events, proceeds from UNICEF's Tap Project have helped improve access to water in densely-populated villages in Cote d'Ivoire; improve water sanitation in Nicaragua; provide emergency response and improved water sanitation in Iraq; and fund clean water projects in the Toledo region of Belize.

• EVENT: March 20 - March 26, 2011
  When You Take Water, Give Water –

  For the fifth year, the award-winning UNICEF Tap Project coincides with World Water Week, March 20−26, and shines a spotlight on the world water crisis. During World Water Week, restaurants across the U.S. will encourage patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free. Just $1 raised through the UNICEF Tap Project can provide a child with safe water for 40 days. In tandem, UNICEF Tap Project Volunteers conduct local fundraising events and activities. Thanks to the commitment of 5,000 volunteers and 1,000 participating restaurants, and the launch of 500 local events and activities, the UNICEF Tap Project will continue to save the lives of children around the world.

• EVENT: March 20 - March 20, 2011
  Bellingham, WA - annual Walk for Water –

  To celebrate World Water Day 2011, the City of Bellingham Public Works Department is sponsoring its Third Annual Walk for Water on Sunday, March 20. This free, family-friendly event highlights local and global water quality and conservation. The 2.3 mile Walk For Water is intended to symbolize the distance women and children across the world frequently travel to collect water for household use. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to carry jugs of water as they walk. The first 100 finishers will receive a free, stainless-steel water bottle for future conservation use.

• EVENT: March 20 - March 21, 2011
  South Africa celebrates World Water Day –

  The main World Water Day 2011 event ,"Water for cities: responding to the urban water challenge," will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, March 20-21, 2011 in South Africa. It will be hosted by the Government of South Africa, in collaboration with United Nations-Water, the African Ministers' Council on Water, the United Nations Secretary General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. Click here for more information on the event.

• 03.04.11
  NYC shares info on drinking water quality, supply, more –

  More than 1 billion gallons of fresh, clean water is delivered from large, upstate New York reservoirs – some more than 125 miles from the city – to the taps of 9 million customers throughout state. New York City remains one of only five large cities in the U.S. that is not required to filter its drinking water. Learn more about NYC's water supply, quality, monitoring and consumption.

• EVENT: March 22, 2011
  World Water Day: March 22 –

  International World Water Day is held annually on March 22 to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Click here to explore a global, interactive map of World Water Day events, read the latest water statistics compiled by the United Nations, and download tools to help share the message.

• EVENT: March 19 - March 22, 2011
  World Walks for Water: March 19-22 –

  The World Walks for Water is a global event from March 19-22, raising awareness of the world’s current water and sanitation crisis. According to the events' organizers, "Millions of people walk 6 kilometres every day just to collect water for their basic needs. Billions have no safe place to go to the toilet. Lack of water and sanitation traps people in a vicious circle of disease, lost life chances and poverty." Read more about these critical issues, the opportunities water and sanitation offer for improving health, education and good nutrition.

• 02.11.11
  Student-Made Device Could Bring Clean Water to the World –

  "Right now, there is a massive worldwide shortage of clean drinking water. People in countries like Bangladesh, Azerbaijan, Madagascar, and Haiti only have access to the dirtiest water in the world. But students from the University of Washington may have come up with a solution, and all it will cost is $3.40 each," reports Network World. The solution involves a process known as SODIS (solar disinfection of water), a process that removes 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses. Read the full article here.

• EVENT: March 18 - March 18, 2011
  Phoenix Campaign to Conserve, Celebrate Water –

  Arizona's Salt River Project (SRP) has launched “Together We Conserve," a multi-media campaign to educate local residents in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area about SRP and their role as the largest water provider. The website offers water-conservation tips and information about how SRP works with others to manage this precious resource. The campaign theme will shift to "Together We Celebrate" in the days leading up to the 100th anniversary of Roosevelt Dam. On March 18, an event will be held to celebrate the dedication of the dam, its role in the development of the Salt River Valley and the water-conservation role it still plays in storing water at Roosevelt Lake, the foundation of SRP’s water-management operations. For more information, read the article in evLiving.

• 01.17.11
  World Water Week’s recommendations –

  The World Water Week website is a year-round resource on issues and topics covered during the Week. Download presentations, background documents, reports, videos, outcomes and recommendations from the sessions. The next World Water Week will be held Aug. 21-27, 2011.

• 01.13.11
  2010 Water Disclosure Global Report –

  CDP Water Disclosure, a new program from the Carbon Disclosure Project, reports that "39% of companies are already experiencing detrimental impacts relating to water including disruption to operations from drought or flooding, declining water quality necessitating costly on-site pre-treatment, and increases in water prices, as well as fines and litigation relating to pollution incidents. Water security is already high on the corporate agenda with 67% reporting responsibility for water-related issues at the board or executive committee level. The majority of companies (89%) have already developed specific water policies, strategies and plans, and 60% have set water-related performance targets."

• 01.12.11
  A Single Drop for Safe Water –

  A Single Drop for Safe Water is a non-profit organization building the capacity of self-reliant partnerships to plan, implement and manage community-driven clean water and sanitation solutions through sustainable organizational strategies, WASH Education and appropriate technologies. Learn more about the organization's success story.

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