AR 123: Relative to the 100th Anniversary of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

WHEREAS, In 1926, a small group of 42 City of Los Angeles plumbing inspectors joined together to address urgent public health risks from inconsistent plumbing practices and to develop a uniform model plumbing code to protect the communities they served; and

WHEREAS, This effort led to the founding of what is now known as the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), whose original mandate was to advance the latest and most improved methods of sanitation; to promote the welfare of and harmony between the owner, the builder, and the craftsman; and to accomplish uniformity in the application of the provisions of the ordinances; and

WHEREAS, IAPMO first served California communities through the development of the Uniform Plumbing Code, originally published in 1945, providing a consistent framework to safeguard health, safety, and sanitation for residents and businesses in this state, and eventually becoming the basis for plumbing standards adopted across four continents; and

WHEREAS, Over the past century, IAPMO has grown from a small City of Los Angeles-based inspectors’ association into a global team of experts with offices and product certification testing facilities, all dedicated to advancing public health, safety, and access to safe water and sanitation; and

WHEREAS, IAPMO’s Uniform Codes, including the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Mechanical Code, now impact the lives of millions of people around the world, helping jurisdictions design, build, and maintain safer, more efficient buildings and infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, IAPMO engages industry and government for a safer built environment by developing model codes and standards, operating accredited laboratories, certifying plumbing, mechanical, water treatment, and construction products, and providing workforce training and credentialing that support resilient, healthy communities; and

WHEREAS, IAPMO’s public charity, the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (or, IWSH), extends California-born expertise to underserved communities worldwide, delivering plumbing and sanitation projects that have recently improved daily life and health outcomes for more than 5,000 individuals across five countries, and demonstrating that access to clean water and safe sanitation is a fundamental human right; and

WHEREAS, IAPMO’s Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard (or, WE-Stand) is recognized as the first and only voluntary building standard focused solely on achieving safe and efficient water use in residential and commercial buildings, supporting California’s leadership in water conservation, alternative water sources such as graywater and rainwater reuse, and more efficient pipe sizing through tools like the Water Demand Calculator, which reduces construction costs by enabling smaller-diameter pipes and has been used to lower capacity fees for affordable housing projects; and

WHEREAS, IAPMO continues to support California’s economy and workforce through education, training, and certification programs that help plumbers, inspectors, engineers, and manufacturers bring safer, more efficient products and systems to market while advancing the state’s goals for public health, climate resilience, and housing affordability; and

WHEREAS, In 2026, IAPMO celebrates its 100th anniversary, marking a century of leadership that began with City of Los Angeles plumbing inspectors and now encompasses a worldwide mission to protect health and safety and to promote a safer, more affordable affordable, and sustainable environment for all; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly recognizes and commends IAPMO on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; honors its historic roots in California’s plumbing community; and celebrates its global contributions to public health, water stewardship, housing affordability, and a safer built environment; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.