I recently had the pleasure of taking a tour of Israel.  While the scenery and historical sites were incredible, our guide seemed most passionate about water.

Wherever we went, he started off each talk by focusing on the water management tactics of each civilization.  Whether in the rocky hillsides of Galilee, the barren desolation of Masada, or the valleys that surround Jerusalem, each site had a water story to tell.

Before setting up a community, people had to identify a sustainable source of clean water, redirect it, and store it before they could use it.  Large portions of ancient Israel were dedicated to aqueducts, tunnels, pools and cisterns.

My guess is that ancient water management pros (today’s plumbing contractors and engineers) were held in high esteem.  Their jobs were absolutely vital to the community.

And boy were they prolific.  Apparently, there are so many ancient cisterns in and around Jerusalem that archeologist refer to it as the “land of Swiss cheese”.  Every time they dig, they find another hole.

Fast forward to today.  Obtaining crystal clear water couldn’t be easier.  Not only do we receive unlimited quantities directly into our homes, we have point-of-use products that allow us to manage every drop.

Take for example the pullout Kohler kitchen faucet our contractor just installed.  A quick look at the installation guide indicates this delivery device has more than 40 parts.  Today’s faucets are precision instruments, designed to look good and withstand constant use.

The Blanco Silgranit Sink is another modern marvel.  Comprised of 80% natural granite stone fused with resin, this sink is designed to withstand chipping, scratching and staining, according to the company’s care instructions.  My wife selected it because it compliments our countertops.  Minimal maintenance would be a bonus.

The sink is adorned with two other products, each made by In-Sink-Erator.  Below the sink sits an Evolution disposal designed to grind both efficiently and quietly.  It should last a long time.

We underutilize our disposals because I refuse to let some things go down the drain.  Certain items are better off decaying and regenerating in landfills, or better yet as compost (coffee grounds, vegetable peelings).

Adjacent to the disposal is the hot water dispenser, a last-minute add-on.  In addition to heating water for tea, I plan to use it for rinse-outs of my drinking cup so I can reuse it all day long.  This will contribute to running the dishwasher less often.

As I ponder our new plumbing devices, I cannot help but think of the millions of people who lived in centuries past and their backbreaking efforts to collect water.  Countless people died because of bad water.  Today, in some corners of the world, they still do.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to plumbing PROS past and present.