The Importance
of Plumbing
Moving Society Forward
Community’s Water Source
 Humans require potable water to
survive
 More people in a
community requires
more clean water for
drinking, cooking and
bathing
 Waste water must not
contaminate the
potable water
Photo courtesy of UNICEF
Water – A Precious Commodity
 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered
by water
 Only 2.5%
is Fresh Water
 Only 0.77% is
easily available
as Potable Water
Source: UTEP
Plumbing Systems
 The advent of plumbing systems allowed
people to live together in larger
communities as fresh water could easily
come in and waste water was removed.
Water pipe made from lead
in Pompeii ruins
 Little consideration was given to the
community downstream
More People =
More Human Waste
 Outhouses or Privies
used to be the norm
 Improvements in
plumbing allowed for
many waterborne
diseases to be
controlled by removing
the contaminated water
from the potable water
Modern Plumbing
 Indoor Plumbing Systems
 Bring clean water
Modern Plumbing
 Indoor Plumbing Systems
 Bring clean water
 Carry away waste
water and clean it
before it is returned
to the environment
Historical Plumbing
Innovations
Historical Plumbing
Innovations
Graphic courtesy of American Standard Brands
Increased Life Expectancy
 Reduced infant mortality
 Adults live longer
 Better sanitation creates better
hygiene, which allows children to
remain healthier and attend schools
regularly
 Many gains from the Industrial
Revolution of the 1800’s can be
attributed to a healthier population
Increased Life Expectancy
Age
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
1700
1800
1850
1900
1950
2000
Source: US Center for Disease Control
Natural Disasters Show
Importance of Plumbers
 Infrastructure
 Big Underground Fresh Water Pipes
 Waste Treatment Facilities
 Salt Water Contamination of Fresh Water
 In Home/Schools/Businesses
 Broken Water Pipes
 Broken Gas Lines
 Broken Sewer Lines
There are many different types
of Plumbers
 Highly skilled trades people
 Contractors install pipes and fixtures
 Engineers design the projects to
ensure correct water pressure and
volume flow
 Inspectors make sure it is done
correctly
World’s Most Famous Plumber
®
World Plumbing Day
 Plumbing
Benefits
Everyone
 March 11,
Every Year,
Everywhere