Indian Plumbing Association (IPA), in association with Akar Info Media Pvt Ltd, will organise the 16th Indian Plumbing Conference in Kochi on July 12-13.

The theme of the conference is ‘Water Sustainability: Codes, Education, Implementation, Monitoring.'

Experts will deliberate on topics such as sustainable plumbing practices, education and awareness, renew and reuse, water supply and sanitation scenario in Kerala.

Mr Sudhakaran Nair, deputy chairman of World Plumbing Council, told Business Line that the national plumbing conventions organised by IPA since 2003 have helped tremendously in creating awareness about better plumbing practices across the country.

These conventions have played a pivotal role in propagating the adoption of better techniques for drainage solution, solar water heating, rain water harvesting, water recycling, green plumbing, energy efficient plumbing and so on, he added.

Of late, there has been a surge in demand for high end plumbing products across the country due to rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyles and exposure to international products. Besides the mushrooming of malls and multiplexes, hotel rooms not only in major cities but also in Tier II and III cities have created a great demand for latest pluming products, he said.

Out of the total construction sector, he said residential and commercial sector plays a significant role in rising demand for plumbing products. The component of plumbing varies from 5 to 10 per cent of the building construction cost.

According to Mr Nair, the ensuing plumbing conference in Kochi assumes significance particularly to Kerala at a time when the state is on the threshold of a major development initiative in the infrastructure sector like tourism, healthcare, IT. This, in turn, will give rise to the demand for state of the art plumbing installations in the region, he said.

He pointed out that the educational programme started by IPA for plumbers one year back under Swasraya Jayanti Grama Yojana of the Ministry of Rural Development in different parts of the state was a tremendous success. As many as 800 students have already passed out with a certificate of Trained Apprentice Plumber. The programme would be extended throughout the country with the objective of moulding good plumbers.

IPA and International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) will work through Indian Plumbing Skill Council (IPSC) as Knowledge Partners in National Skill Development Council to train skilled workers in plumbing, he said.

>sajeevkumar@thehindu.co.in

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