Created by World Plumbing Council (WPC) in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO), World Plumbing Day is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness regarding the integral role plumbing has in the lives and health of people across the globe. Since its creation in 2010, World Plumbing Day has been honored as a time to appreciate not only how far plumbing technology has come but what it can do to keep you and the rest of the world healthy.
With decades of combined experience in providing the Lafayette and surrounding communities with top-notch electrical and plumbing services, Pipes & Plugs, LLC is happy to help you explore the benefits of plumbing this World Plumbing Day and every other day of the year!
In the spirit of World Plumbing Day, here are just a few ways life would be different without the convenience of today’s plumbing technology.
Not so hot — or clean — bathwater
Running out of hot water can be annoying, but imagine not even having a hot water heater? Although storage hot water heaters were invented in the late 1800s, they did not become popular in American homes until years later. In fact, in the early 1900’s less than 14% of homes even had bathtubs! Bathwater was heated on a stove and shared by the entire household!
Risky business
Without proper sewage treatment and water sanitation, the risk of contracting a waterborne illness is quite high. Unfortunately, this was the harsh reality of life without today’s intricate sewer systems. Untreated waste was typically buried or simply poured into rivers and other bodies of water. Sewer beds, or plots of land where raw sewage was dumped, were also used by municipalities before the implementation of sewer systems.
Dirty laundry
Washing clothes by hand using a bar of soap, a washboard or river rocks, and a lot of elbow grease makes today’s chore of doing laundry look like a walk in the park! Even the early versions of washing machines were still powered by hand and difficult to use.
Water collection
Today’s indoor plumbing fixtures are such a luxury compared to the task of having to bring water from outside. If a well wasn’t nearby, it was common for people to trek miles to the closest water source, often daily.
Waterborne illness
WPC statistics reveal that 1.6 million people across the world die preventable waterborne illnesses every year as a result of not having access to clean water, an issue which indoor plumbing and other safety measures could easily fix. This number was much higher before advances in plumbing technology were made!
Although we’re not able to fix these plumbing problems of the past, we are able to fix yours in the present and in the future. Call Pipes & Plugs anytime! Happy World Plumbing Day!
