An organization known as the Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI), whose members account for 90 percent of the nation’s plumbing products, released ten reasons why plumbing matters for the future of earth’s existence.

Water, an Essential Resource

Water is used for health, hygiene and it necessary for survival. Without access to clean convenient water, civilization would be propelled back to an age of the hunter and gatherer. Moreover, if water ceased to exist on earth, then life as we know it would be absent. Water is important.

Plumbers are Friends to the Environment

With the help of the PMI, plumbers have contributed to a vast reduction in water use. In total the EPA claims that the PMI has saved consumers 757 billion gallons of water and $14.2 billion in energy saving bills. The dramatic reduction in water use can be contributed to the PMI’s collective effort to produce water conserving toilets, showerheads, and faucets; the effort was indeed a success.

Guardians of Health

Believe it or not the world of plumbing is not as glamourous as it appears. Plumbing pipes are literally caked with dangerous bacteria. Moreover, the rerouting of sewage and waste is a deadly business. Had the PMI existed 500 years ago then the devastation caused by the bubonic plague could have been evaded. Instead of dumping chamber pots out the window onto the streets of London, a properly routed system of pipes would have saved the world from the most dangerous epidemic there ever was.

The future safety of society is no doubt partially in the hands of plumbers. Conserving water, properly disposing of waste, and providing people with hot showers should not be overlooked. Indeed, plumbing is one of those classic examples of under appreciation. It is essentially to the professional world what Tom Cruise is to Hollywood.