The Pipeline: March 15, 2026
Welcome to this week's edition of The Pipeline. Here's what's flowing this week to keep you informed and entertained!
Fun Fact
The White House didn't get indoor plumbing until 1833, when Andrew Jackson had running water piped into the building. But it wasn't until 1853 that Franklin Pierce added a bathroom with hot and cold running water on the second floor. Before that, presidents used an outhouse or chamber pots — even as the U.S. was building one of the most advanced democracies in the world.
Laugh of the Day
Why did the plumber quit his job?
It was too draining.
New Study: 550,000 Unfilled Plumbing Jobs Could Cost the Economy Billions
A new economic study released this week by LIXIL reveals the staggering cost of the plumbing labor shortage. The research, conducted by John Dunham & Associates, projects approximately 550,000 unfilled plumbing positions by 2027 — and finds that even a modest increase of 16,400 plumbers could generate 37,624 jobs and contribute nearly $3 billion to the economy. The study also highlights a stark diversity gap: women make up just 2.1% of plumbers despite representing 47% of the overall U.S. workforce. LIXIL is responding with new workforce development programs including American Standard's TradeUp initiative...
2026 Plumbing Outlook: Stable but Flat, With Bright Spots Ahead
The plumbing distribution sector is navigating a year of "cautious stability rather than broad-based expansion," according to a new industry outlook from Armada Corporate Intelligence. Conditions are expected to remain flat through Q2 before potential acceleration in the second half. The labor picture remains challenging: a deficit of over 500,000 plumbers nationwide costs the economy approximately $38 billion annually. On the upside, smart and connected products — from leak-detection systems to integrated wellness features — are "moving from novelty to necessity," and nonresidential growth in data centers, healthcare, and education is driving new project activity...
EPA Redirects $4.1 Billion to States for Lead Pipe Removal
The EPA has announced a $4.1 billion funding package for lead service line replacement — $3 billion in new Drinking Water State Revolving Fund assistance plus $1.1 billion in reallocated funds. Updated state inventories now show roughly 4 million lead service lines nationwide, down sharply from the previous 9.2 million estimate, allowing federal dollars to reach verified replacement needs more efficiently. States including Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida have the highest concentrations. For plumbers, the pipeline of lead replacement work is massive and growing, backed by the biggest federal investment in drinking water infrastructure in U.S. history...
We hope you enjoyed this week's edition of The Pipeline. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, keep the pipes flowing!
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