$Unlicensed plumbers

As Business Manager of Plumbers Local 12, the largest union representing plumbers in Massachusetts, I’ve seen the consequences of unlicensed plumbing work too many times. Cutting corners with water quality and safety can be disastrous.

There is an increasing number of unlicensed individuals performing plumbing and water filtration installations without the proper training, certification, or legal authority. Don’t be fooled. Plumbing is about protecting the health of the nation. Nowhere is this more critical than in the growing area of water filtration systems.

Water filtration directly impacts drinking water quality. Installing these systems incorrectly may result in contamination, cross-connections, and violations of local plumbing codes. This is why in many jurisdictions, most importantly ours, you must be a licensed plumber to install or service water filtration systems. This isn’t red tape – it’s an essential public safety requirement.

All too often, we see companies and individuals marketing that they install filtration, but they have no license and no accountability. This poses a severe risk to homeowners. Letting this continue unchallenged erodes the standards of our profession and puts the public’s health and safety at risk.
It is time we make it clear that only licensed plumbers should be installing water filtration systems. We cannot take risks with water safety, so please, report unlicensed work. Public safety depends upon it.

Jim Vaughan

Business Manager, Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12

Mass and Cass

As someone who grew up in the South End/lower Roxbury neighborhood back in the ’50s and ’60s, I have been keenly aware of the ongoing social tragedy at Mass and Cass for too many years.

Kudos to South Ender Brian McCarter for standing up for his neighborhood under siege (“A fight to shine light on crisis,” Nov. 12). He doesn’t let inaction get a free ride. McCarter is stepping up into the gap and demanding that he and others in the community be properly provided information, and for City Hall to listen to neighbors who bear the brunt of the Mass and Cass crisis.

Is anyone surprised by the spillover outside that intersection? Of course this has metastasized into nearby areas. It is time for city officials to involve the community in fixing this problem rather than just talking with them or to them.

As someone who grew up on East Springfield Street, I remember what this neighborhood was like. Much of what is happening today had already started back in the ’60s.

When it comes to crime as a retired police officer, I attest to the value of the so-called “Broken Windows” strategy. We are witnessing today the constant growth of a bad situation because it should have been recognized and addressed years ago before it turned into what we have today.

More Brian McCarters are needed.

Sal Giarratani

East Boston