WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Sen.
Martin Heinrich is among the
dignitaries expected to attend the International Water, Sanitation
and Hygiene (IWSH) Foundation's 2018 Community Plumbing Challenge,
which begins Monday in Thoreau, New
Mexico.
"Access to water and sanitation is fundamental to public health.
However, there is still much work to be done here in New Mexico to make universal access to clean
water a reality," said Sen. Heinrich. "I am pleased to join
with Navajo Nation leaders, IWSH, labor groups, plumbing
manufacturers and other government officials who are working hard
to find solutions on this critical issue and make a real difference
in people's lives. I will keep doing everything I can to uphold our
commitments to all of our tribes and fight for the funding,
resources, and policies we need to ensure every New Mexican has
access to clean water and sanitation in their homes."
Heinrich, D-N.M., is expected
to attend the welcome ceremony at 9 a.m.
MDT, followed by the "Water and Sanitation Crisis in America
Roundtable: Government & Industry Working Together for
Solutions," at the St. Bonaventure Indian Mission. Also expected at
the event are leaders from the Navajo Nation; Tom Bigley, director of Plumbing Services for
the United Association; George
McGraw, founder of DigDeep; a representative from the Johns
Hopkins Center for American Indian Health; as well as senior
officials from LIXIL, Reliance Worldwide, Navajo Technical
University, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, Indian Health Services
and numerous state officials from New
Mexico.
The discussion, which is part of the exclusive Ambassador
Program, will include leaders from the Navajo Nation, policymakers
from the local, state and federal levels, and industry thought
leaders. In addition to focusing on issues concerning tribal lands,
the roundtable will look at issues facing the more than 1.6 million
people across the U.S. without access to clean water and safe
sanitation.
"Having this level of participation and involvement from
high-level stakeholders and policymakers shows the value and
importance of the Community Plumbing Challenge and of the dialogue
occurring during the roundtable," said Dan
Daniels, chair of IWSH's board of directors.
The Navajo Nation CPC assembles a multi-disciplined team of
skilled tradespeople to execute plumbing and construction projects
that will improve living conditions in approximately 10 households
nominated by U.S.-based nonprofit organization DigDeep. Inside
homes, a range of bathroom and kitchen renovations will be carried
out, including the installation of new basins, taps, toilets, water
tanks, water pumps, and hot- and cold-water pipework. These
renovations and repairs are required in order for these homes to be
connected to water supply systems. Meanwhile, efforts outdoors will
address the installation of, and connection to, new wastewater
systems.
For more information, contact IWSH Managing Director
Dain Hansen at (202) 445-7514 or
email info@iwsh.org. To learn more about the event, visit the
project website at www.commplumbing.org or email info@iwsh.org.
Visit www.iwsh.org.
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SOURCE The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Foundation (IWSH)