Clean water is absolutely essential to the health and safety of people around the world. It’s something I’ve always known, but I have a much deeper understanding after my years of writing about the plumbing and HVAC industries. And one thing I’ve learned recently: You don’t truly appreciate indoor plumbing until you no longer have it.
The city where I live has commenced a water main replacement and pipe relining project in my neighborhood. The houses where I live were built in the 1950s, so it was a much-needed upgrade. However, being without running water for 11 hours a day for six days was, in a word, eye-opening. My neighbors were lucky as they left for work each of those days, while I currently work from home. We filled the bathtub every night before for the essentials, such as flushing the toilet. We also had a Gatorade cooler filled by the kitchen sink. The spout made it easier to wash our hands.