IWSH and local plumbers complete major Los Angeles Mission plumbing upgrade

IWSH and 16 Los Angeles-area plumbers finished a two-week plumbing overhaul at the Los Angeles Mission, upgrading fixtures used by more than 1,000 people a day. The work is expected to improve reliability, cut water use and free up Mission resources for services for people experiencing homelessness.

Why it matters: - The upgrade helps the Los Angeles Mission maintain showers, restrooms, meals and clean water for people experiencing homelessness. - The project is expected to reduce recurring repair costs and let the Mission spend more on direct services. - The new fixtures could cut water use by about 760,000 gallons a year. - That matters at a site that provides more than 22,000 showers annually on Skid Row.

What happened: - The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation completed a major plumbing upgrade at the Los Angeles Mission in Los Angeles. - The project ran from July 13 to 24. - Sixteen skilled plumbers from the Los Angeles area worked in coordinated teams as part of an IWSH Community Plumbing Challenge. - The team replaced about 30 toilets, 10 urinals, 40 faucets and 25 showerheads. - IWSH is the public charity of IAPMO.

The details: - The new fixtures are water-efficient and tamper-resistant. - IWSH selected the fixtures for durability and performance in a high-use setting. - The skilled labor and products supplied by IWSH and partners carry an estimated value of more than $150,000. - Years of heavy use had strained the Mission’s plumbing and created frequent repair needs. - Eight Southern California contractors supplied qualified plumbers for the work. - The contractors represented six United Association locals. - Fifteen industry partners contributed products, including fixtures and piping materials. - Participating contractors included Muir-Chase Plumbing, ACCO Engineering, Astro Mechanical Contractors, Murray Company Mechanical Contractors, Pan-Pacific Mechanical, Revim, Suttles Plumbing and Verne’s Plumbing. - Muir-Chase Plumbing served as the lead contractor. - The California Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association supported the project. - The plumbers represented UA Locals 78, 230, 398, 484, 582 and 761. - SoCal Pipe Trades District Council 16 also supported the effort. - Manufacturers and suppliers included Kohler, Acorn, LIXIL, Winsupply of LA, Milwaukee Tool, Moen, Symmons, Delta, Caleffi, Sloan, Neoperl, BrassCraft and IRS Demo.

Between the lines: - The project shows how donated labor and materials can create infrastructure gains that a nonprofit could not easily fund on its own. - Dennis Oleesky, CEO of the Los Angeles Mission, said the Mission would not have matched the quality of work and materials with its own budget. - Robyn Fischer, IWSH senior director for North America, said the project shows the plumbing industry can improve dignity and reliability for people who depend on these facilities. - The effort also highlights the role of skilled trades in community-based infrastructure work. - IWSH said its projects follow a formula of planning, skilled plumbers, quality products and community training to produce measurable change.

What's next: - The upgraded fixtures are expected to deliver long-term water savings and lower maintenance demands. - The Los Angeles Mission can redirect more resources toward programs and services. - IWSH plans to continue using similar community plumbing projects to support underserved communities. - The project also marks a milestone year for both IWSH and IAPMO. - IWSH is celebrating 10 years of mobilizing the plumbing industry for good. - IAPMO marks 100 years since its founding in Los Angeles on May 17, 1926.

The bottom line: - The Los Angeles Mission upgrade turned donated plumbing labor and materials into a practical boost for shelter operations, water savings and service capacity.