Four members of the CIPHE/WCoP Plumbing Professionals Development Scheme have completed a trip to Nepal to install a gravity-fed, 24-hour safe water supply
Four members of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) and the Worshipful Company of Plumbers (WCoP) Plumbing Professionals Development Scheme (PPDS) have successfully completed a community-led water supply project in rural Nepal, delivering a 24-hour gravity-fed water supply to a remote mountain community.
Volunteering as part of the Bokhejunda Water Distribution Project, Ruben Duggan, Daisy Turner, Ollie Salmon, and Ethan Wynn upgraded a gravity-fed water system, which now provides 24-hour access to safe running water for the village in the remote Rasuwa District. The new system will improve hygiene, health and quality of life for the rural community of 60 people.
Before work began on the water system, the four volunteers visited local plumbing schools and training providers to meet students and donate educational resources. The project demonstrates CIPHE’s commitment to professional development, knowledge exchange, and strengthening relations between the UK and Nepal’s plumbing communities, ahead of the organisation hosting the World Plumbing Conference 2026.
While Nepal’s mountainous terrain makes water infrastructure projects particularly challenging, upgrades to the village pipelines, storage tanks and system components will now provide a sustainable, long-term supply of water to the community.
Commenting on the Nepal project, Kevin Wellman, Chief Executive Officer at CIPHE, said: “This project is a shining example of how skilled plumbing professionals can make a meaningful and lasting difference to communities in need. I would like to congratulate our four PPDS volunteers on the outstanding success of their trip. Their dedication and professionalism have delivered vital improvements to the quality of life for residents in Bokhejunda.
“Knowledge sharing is a key focus for CIPHE, and we understand the crucial role it plays in advancing both plumbing standards and public health. This project demonstrates how our profession can contribute to real change globally.”
The project was made possible thanks to the generous support of City & Guilds Foundation, Nineteen Group (InstallerSHOW), Mark Vitow, Intergas Heating and Catchpole & Rye, whose support helped fund essential project costs.
CIPHE will continue to share updates on the project’s long-term impact, with the volunteers presenting their experiences at InstallerSHOW and the World Plumbing Conference 2026 at Birmingham’s NEC.
To find out more about the team’s trip to Nepal, visit: https://www.ciphe.org.uk/news-and-advice/blog-articles/ppds-water-supply-charity/
Quotes from four participants
Ruben Duggan
“This trip has been a life-changing experience. Applying my plumbing skills to help create a consistent and safe supply of water shows the power our trade has to improve lives around the world. The sense of community in Bokhejunda was incredible and seeing the impact of the new system on daily life is something I’ll carry with me for years to come.”
Daisy Turner
“Being part of this project in remote Nepal has truly shown me what positive change through plumbing really looks like. Using our skills and expertise to support a community so far from the UK was both challenging and hugely rewarding. The welcome and thanks we received, and knowing the water supply will make a lasting difference has been truly inspiring.”
Ollie Salmon
“Applying our trade in the mountains of Nepal was something I could never have dreamed of. It was a privilege to work with the group and community to improve its future. Knowing that the system we installed will give families access to safe, running water day and night is something I am immensely proud of. It is an experience that will stay with me forever. It’s a fantastic example of what plumbing can do for people’s lives”
Ethan Wynn
“This project has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever taken part in. Using my plumbing skills to support a village that previously had limited access to clean water showed me just how life changing our trade can be. The village’s gratitude was humbling. I am grateful to have played a part in making a positive difference to the lives of so many people.”