Launched in 1994, the annual “Water’s Off” community service program always has seen union plumbers volunteering to repair plumbing for low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners. This year was a surprise, a pleasant surprise. With unemployment in the plumbing trade at nearly 40 percent, event organizers expected a lower turn-out but instead reported one of the highest turn-outs in the event’s history. The March 21 Water’s Off event drew 226 volunteers, including 40 volunteers who hadn’t signed up but decided to volunteer when they learned of the need for extra help.

The Water’s Off event takes place each spring with volunteers from Minneapolis-St. Cloud Plumbers Local 15, St. Paul-Mankato Plumbers Local 34, and Rochester Plumbers Local 6. This year’s volunteers — apprentices, journeymen, retirees — serviced 125 homes at an estimated value of $113,000.

Contractors from the Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association and the Metro Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association donated trucks and parts for the all necessary repairs.

The service was completely free to homeowners who qualified through their local Community Action Programs.

“The number of volunteers this year amazed me,” said Carl Crimmins, Minnesota Pipe Trades president. “Water’s Off is a great event but with the hard times we weren’t expecting this many volunteers. Today was a demonstration of integrity and showed the character that each plumber brings to their community.”

The union plumbers’ efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Local television stations looking for positive news in this down economy reported on event, with the story running on KARE-TV and KSTP-TV’s 5, 6, and 10 o’clock news.

Water’s Off was established here in the Twin Cities in 1994 and is now a nation-wide program. The Twin Cities lead participation nationally.

Community Action Programs in Minneapolis, Ramsey/Washington Counties, St. Cloud, Mankato, and Olmsted counties supply Water’s Off with names of people who meet their guidelines, which ensures that the people needing the most help receive it. The help homeowners receive can greatly reduce their water consumption, lowering water bills and conserving water resources.