World Plumbing Day Date in the current year: March 11, 2024

Plumbing is a system that uses pipes, valves, fittings, tanks, and other elements to convey fluids for a wide range of applications, including the delivery of drinking water, waste removal, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). Plumbing infrastructure is crucial for public health and sanitation because it helps prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.

Plumbing originated in ancient civilizations, where it was used in public baths since most people didn’t have access to private bathing facilities back then. The word “plumbing” derives from the Latin word plumbum, which means lead (the Romans used lead pipes in their plumbing systems). Plumbing fell into disuse and disrepair after the fall of the Roman Empire and stagnated throughout the Middle Ages and early modern history. Modern plumbing began to develop in the early 19th century due to the growth of densely populated cities that needed sewage systems to prevent epidemics.

People living in developed countries often take access to clean water and sanitation facilities for granted; we drink tap water, take showers and baths, and flush the toilet without realizing that this is a luxury for millions of people around the globe. According to UNICEF and WHO estimates, 900 million school children throughout the world don’t have access to hand washing facilities, and almost 100 children under 5 die every day due to waterborne diarrheal disease caused by a lack of safe sanitation.

World Plumbing Day was launched in 2010 by the World Plumbing Council (WPC), an international organization that strives to achieve the best possible plumbing worldwide through the growth and development of the plumbing industry on a global scale. That same year, the United Nations General Assembly recognized clean drinking water and sanitation as a universal human right.

The main goal of World Plumbing Day is to unite the international plumbing community and raise public awareness of the link between good plumbing, public health, and environmental sustainability. On the occasion of World Plumbing Day, the WPC and its partners around the globe hold seminars, webinars, conferences, competitions and other events and activities that highlight the importance of high-quality plumbing and access to safe sanitation and fresh water.

There are many ways to celebrate World Plumbing Day even if you’re not in the plumbing industry yourself. You can learn more about the importance of plumbing, donate to an organization that works to improve access to fresh water and sanitation in developing countries, teach your children healthy bathroom habits, thank the plumbers in your life for their hard work, or get a home plumbing inspection. And don’t forget to spread the word about the holiday on social media with the hashtags #WorldPlumbingDay and #PlumbingDay.