7 Reasons Why Plumbing is Important

Few modern conveniences are as foundational to public health, economic prosperity, and daily comfort as plumbing. While often taken for granted — a silent guardian in our homes and cities — its impact is profound. Did you know that reliable plumbing infrastructure has saved more lives globally than virtually any medical advancement, preventing countless diseases and fostering unprecedented urban growth? When you rent or buy a house, or visit a public establishment, the assumption of code-compliant, accessible plumbing highlights its integrated role in society. Let's delve into seven critical reasons why this often-overlooked system is indispensable.

Aside from just being useful in our daily lives, let’s take a look at several reasons why plumbing is so important.

7 Reasons Why Plumbing is Important

It’s one of the most vital systems in our homes and cities, yet it’s almost completely invisible. Here are 7 reasons why plumbing is one of the most important inventions in human history.

1. Plumbing Gives Us Control of Water

Controlling the elements is no longer the stuff of fantasies. Our modern plumbing systems don't just route water; they deliver it clean and safe, often filtered and treated to meet rigorous public health standards (like those set by the EPA in the U.S.). This ensures readily available potable water, eliminating the historical need for boiling or trekking to distant sources, and providing warm water almost instantly for bathing and other uses.

2. Plumbing Conserves Water

We are all guilty of leaving the faucet running or taking long showers. If you have old or improperly maintained plumbing systems, this could be a disaster for water usage. Modern plumbing isn't just about supply; it's about sustainable use. Innovations in "eco-friendly plumbing solutions" are dramatically reducing water waste. For instance, low-flow fixtures, like toilets using 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf) compared to older models' 3.5-5 gpf, can save thousands of gallons annually per household. According to the EPA, WaterSense labeled products can save an average family 13,000 gallons of water and $150 in water bills each year. Motion-sensor faucets and high-efficiency showerheads exemplify the strides made in "water efficiency in homes," turning water conservation into an inherent feature of our daily lives.

3. Plumbing Saves Energy

Plumbing manufacturers are continuing to make advancements in the energy efficiency of plumbing systems. Tankless heaters instantly heat water, eliminating the need to constantly maintain the temperature of a water tank. This saves energy, water, and money! Also, proper sanitation systems, well-maintained plumbing, and filtration equipment provide you with safe drinking water right from the tap. With fewer people buying drinking water from the store, less energy is wasted on water transportation and plastic bottle manufacturing.

4. Plumbing Provides Comfort and Convenience

This is a big one for a lot of us. Our lives are busy as it is, can you imagine also worrying about where to find water daily in order to cook and clean? Or having to go to the bathroom outside, regardless of how cold or rainy it is? Thanks to plumbing, you can enjoy the comfort of a hot shower and the convenience of a flushing toilet. But for 2.5 billion people across the globe, these plumbing luxuries are merely a dream. This is why it’s necessary to be grateful and do what we can to advance plumbing for the rest of the world.

5. Plumbing Produces Jobs

Plumbing careers are essential to our job market and economy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 490,200 actively employed plumbers in America alone. This job market is projected to grow about 4% over the next decade. The medium income is $27.08/hr, producing a salary that is suitable for many people. Since the profession only requires a high school diploma and an apprenticeship, becoming a plumber is an affordable path to financial stability.

6. Plumbing Prevents the Spread of Disease

Before modern plumbing, it was common for disease to spread through water. Dangerous bacteria and other contaminants lurked in the water, plaguing people with digestive illnesses, infectious diseases, and death. We’ve all heard of the Black Death — this epidemic nearly wiped out half of Europe simply because of poor hygiene and unsanitary living conditions. Contemporary plumbing systems allow our governments to control the cleanliness of water with mass sanitation and disinfection processes. We no longer have to worry about the safety of our water.

7. Plumbing Saves Lives

All the above reasons culminate into the biggest reason why plumbing is vital to our society: it saves lives. Energy and water conservation preserve the planet; easy water access increases life expectancy and quality of life; plumbing careers offer livelihood; and clean water eliminates certain diseases. Additionally, proper plumbing maintenance can prevent dangerous home disasters (this is why you should make sure your plumbing is inspected and updated regularly).

Stephens Understands the Importance of Plumbing

The professionals at Stephens Plumbing understand more than most why plumbing is essential to our lives. Every day we do our part to assure that your residential and commercial plumbing systems are where they need to be for maximum efficiency and safety. And as an extra bonus, we make sure they’re sleek and beautiful, too. If your plumbing needs repair, give Stephens Plumbing a call today.