I recently had the honor of participating in a unique global water summit hosted by NKBA Global Connect Strategic Alliance Partner, the UK Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) at historic Windsor Castle. The attendees featured a select group of plumbing sector leaders, including many of the world’s most prominent global brands and organizations, including Kohler, Fortune Brands Innovations, Ideal Standard, Villeroy & Boch, Toto, Fluidmaster and Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI). The topic of conversation was an urgent one: the global water scarcity crisis.
We heard a powerful presentation by Professor Dame Sally Davies, the UK Special Envoy on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and former Chief Medical Officer for England and Chief Medical Adviser to the UK government. Dame Sally offered a sobering message about what water scarcity will mean as the number of drug-resistant bacteria continues to proliferate and spread through our built water delivery and wastewater systems. Without significant action, she warned, our societies will become less and less able to fight off a growing array of infections that can’t be treated with antibiotics.
The highlight of the two-day event, which was hosted by BMA CEO Tom Reynolds, was the signing of a pledge by all of the participants, mutually committing to invest in the development of innovations that will help reduce billions of gallons of water waste annually, and also help limit the spread of dangerous bacteria.
As an organization, we’ll be exploring this critical environmental and public health issue in the months and years ahead and, most importantly, facilitating conversations within the K&B industry about our water future. This is an issue of global importance – water scarcity will impact all of us, in every corner of the world, sooner rather than later. The time to come together is now.
Despite the gravity of the topic, the Windsor Castle summit left me energized. We all want to be a part of building a healthier and more sustainable world. Our industry is so central to how people utilize their local water supplies. I have no doubt that, as we all become more informed about this challenge, K&B professionals and businesses will play a major role in creating impactful solutions.
