It’s time to call the plumber: Portraits of Public Health

Environmental Health, ,

Most people only think about plumbing when something goes wrong. Public Health’s plumbing team works to minimize these problems in King County by making sure plumbing and gas piping is installed safely and correctly, whether it’s for a small house remodel, new multistory apartments, a hospital, or a restaurant.

Why is plumbing essential to public health? We sat down with Eric, who leads our team of approximately 20 plumbing professionals, to find out.

Hey, Eric! How does plumbing impact people’s health?

Plumbing plays a vital role in protecting public health. As plumbing inspectors, we see firsthand how properly designed, installed, and maintained plumbing systems help ensure safe drinking water, prevent contamination, and safely remove wastewater and sewage. These systems help reduce the spread of waterborne diseases, protect our environment, and provide the sanitation people rely on.

At the end of the day, plumbing is about much more than pipes and fixtures. It’s about protecting people’s health, safety, and quality of life. As plumbing inspectors, we play an important role in making sure these systems meet code requirements and serve our communities safely and reliably.

A drawn portrait of a man smiling with salt-and-pepper hair and beard and deep brown skin. He wears a black suit and patterned tie. A quote attributed to Eric, Chief Plumbing Inspector, speaks to the importance of plumbing in protecting health, safety, and quality of life.
Illustration by Meredith Li-Vollmer

How did you get started in plumbing?

My dad was in the trade as a pipe fitter, so there was always construction talk at the table. When I was looking for a new job, he heard that the Local 32 (the Plumbers Pipe Fitters Refrigeration & HVAC Union) was hiring helpers. The rest is history.

What’s your day-to-day like leading the plumbing and gas program at Public Health?

This job is a bit of cat-wrangling. Our staff do more than 100 inspections every day, and while every site is different, the code stays the same. Recently, I helped with an inspection where our staff were concerned the products weren’t certified. There are big consequences if plumbing work isn’t done correctly or with the right products!

You’re active in the local union and international groups to support plumbers. Why is that important to you?

I like helping people and I wanted to give back. Once you complete your training, it’s important to support your trade and new people coming into the industry. Through my work with Local 32, I’ve seen members’ kids from birth to adulthood getting into the trade to become plumbers and fitters.

I’ve also had different roles with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials to discuss plumbing issues, work on certifying products to make sure they’re safe for use, and more. This helps get Seattle and Washington on the map – we have a hand in plumbing issues well outside King County borders.

What is one thing people should know about plumbing?

For plumbing and piping work, it’s very important that you hire a registered contractor.

Think of an issue with a plumbing system like a health issue: when you’re sick, you go to the doctor. When the plumbing system isn’t working, you go to a professional who has the training needed to fix the problem.

Resources from Public Health for plumbing and gas piping installations

Originally published on October 28, 2026.

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