The 7th World Plumbing Conference will have a strong emphasis on both technical and business practicalities while tackling issues like the role of plumbers in crises such as the recent SARS epidemic.

"We have spent a lot of time reflecting on how to make this a stand-out conference," said George Verry, CEO of the host organization, the Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers New Zealand Inc.

"The conference theme-Our Water Our Wealth Our Health-we think successfully sums up the focus we will bring, particularly with the amount of international attention on sustainable, safe, practical use of natural resources such as water," Verry said.

"There is no doubt that the role that plumbers play in the health of the world is coming under increasing focus, and we plan to use the conference to explore these issues," he said.

The conference program is near finalization and will shortly be available on the conference website at www.cmsl.co.nz/wpc2005. A full trade exhibition will also be a feature of the conference, which is scheduled to run from March 2-5, 2005.