The International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH), a bridge for the international water, sanitation, and hygiene community with specific focus on the role of the plumbing industry in community collaborations and educational exchange, has announced the topic for its 2019 Scholarship Essay Competition: “What can IWSH do to improve sanitation and provide clean water for those who lack access to a plumbing system?”

The competition, originally an IAPMO initiative and now entering its tenth year, will again award monetary scholarships to three students and/or trade apprentices with an interest in how the plumbing and mechanical industry can create and promote positive change both in the North America and abroad.

“This year’s topic simply gets right to the heart of the IWSH mission,” said IWSH Chairman Dan Daniels. “Lack of adequate drinking water and effective sanitation continues to be the most pressing issues facing human beings across the planet, and our foundation is committed to exploring every available option to alleviate these concerns and assure good health for those most in need.”

This topic chosen by the IWSH board of trustees provides ample room for exploration and solution-finding by competition participants. The competition is open to any student actively enrolled in a high school, community college, trade school, four-year accredited college or university or working in an apprentice program.

Submitted essays must be the completely original work of the submitter and a minimum of 1,000 words. The essay entry deadline is May 1, 2019, via email, fax or mail to IAPMO World Headquarters. The winning essay will be announced in September at the 2019 IAPMO Education and Business Conference in Reno, Nevada. The author of the essay awarded first prize will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a one-year paid membership to IAPMO. Second-place winner will receive a $750 scholarship and the third-place winner will receive a $500 scholarship. All winning essays will also be published in Official, IAPMO’s membership magazine, and on the IAPMO website.

Any individual who meet sthe qualifications to submit an essay to the competition should include his or her name and the name of his or her school or education/training organization. All essays should be sent to Gabriella Davis at IAPMO by email at essay@iwsh.org; by fax at (909) 472-4222; or by standard mail to her attention at IAPMO, 4755 E. Philadelphia St., Ontario, CA 91761.