Archaeologists discovered the first water pipes in the Indus River in India, dating back to 4000-3000 B.C. Egyptian ruler Menes also supported a thriving civilization by constructing canals, irrigation ditches, and basins.

Your plumbing system consists of freshwater and wastewater subsystems. The freshwater subsystem pushes water through your pipes under enough pressure to supply upstairs fixtures. Meanwhile, the wastewater subsystem transports used water away from your home.

Ancient Plumbing: Egyptians and Indians (4000-2500 B.C.) The first evidence of plumbing is from the ancient Egyptians and Indians. They developed systems of copper piping to transport water from natural sources like wells and springs to homes and public baths.

This is the system that brings fresh water into your home, usually, from the communal pipeline that runs underneath your street. The first thing it does is pass through a meter, which records how much water you use, then it is distributed to all the different appliances in your house that require it.