The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) has completed a major plumbing upgrade at the Los Angeles Mission, replacing over 100 high-use fixtures.
This project was done through an IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge, which brought together 16 skilled plumbers from eight Southern California contractors.
Fixture Upgrades Target Reliability And Water Use
The Los Angeles Mission provides essential services to people experiencing homelessness, including showers, restrooms, meals, and clean water. Years of intensive use had placed significant demands on the facility’s plumbing systems.
The new fixtures are expected to reduce water consumption by approximately 760,000 gallons annually while improving the reliability of the Mission’s plumbing systems.
The savings are particularly significant for a facility that provides over 22,000 showers each year to people experiencing homelessness.
The project involved the replacement of approximately 30 toilets, 10 urinals, 40 faucets, and 25 showerheads with water-efficient, tamper-resistant fixtures selected for durability and performance in a high-use environment. This replacement will not only reduce water consumption but also minimize the need for frequent repairs and maintenance, ensuring a safer and more reliable environment for the people served by the Mission.
The Los Angeles Mission serves more than 1,000 people each day, making the reliability of its plumbing systems key to its daily operations. The upgraded fixtures will help reduce the strain on the facility’s plumbing systems, allowing the Mission to focus on providing essential services to those in need.
Industry Partners Supplied Products For The Project
Fifteen manufacturers and suppliers contributed products for the project, including fixtures and piping materials. Participating companies included Kohler, Acorn, and LIXIL.
The combined value of skilled labor and products contributed by IWSH and its project partners is estimated at over $150,000.
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The improvements are expected to reduce recurring repair expenses and allow the Mission to direct more resources toward its programs and services.
The project highlighted the role skilled plumbers play in delivering durable plumbing improvements in demanding environments. Plumbers from eight Southern California contractors, representing six United Association (UA) locals, contributed their expertise to the installations.
Los Angeles Project Marks Milestones For IWSH And IAPMO
The project comes during a milestone year for both IWSH and IAPMO, with IWSH marking 10 years of mobilizing the plumbing industry to address water, sanitation, and hygiene needs.
IAPMO is celebrating 100 years since its founding in Los Angeles on May 17, 1926.
The Los Angeles Mission project brought the organizations’ shared history back to the city where IAPMO was established.
The Los Angeles Mission’s CEO, Dennis Oleesky, said, “If we had done this ourselves, there is no way we could have achieved the quality of work and materials that IWSH brought to the Los Angeles Mission.”
For more information, visit iwsh.org.
The collaboration between IWSH, the contractors, and the manufacturers has demonstrated the impact that can be achieved when the plumbing industry comes together to address the needs of underserved communities. The project serves as a model for future initiatives, showcasing the potential for scalable and measurable improvements in plumbing reliability and water efficiency.
The IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge has proven to be an effective approach in delivering meaningful improvements to communities in need. By leveraging the skills and resources of the plumbing industry, IWSH is able to make a significant difference in the lives of people served by organizations like the Los Angeles Mission.
