A History of Indoor Plumbing: The Origins of Running Water

Running water in homes can be traced back to ancient times. The first systems were developed in the Middle East and Asia around 2500 BC. These systems used gravity to transport water from a higher source to a lower one. In the Roman Empire, aqueducts were built to bring water from distant sources to cities and towns. These aqueducts were marvels of engineering and some are still in use today. In the Middle Ages, running water was only available to the wealthy and powerful. It was not until the 19th century that running water became more widely available in homes. This was due to the invention of the steam engine, which made it possible to pump water to higher floors. By the end of the 19th century, most homes in the United States and Europe had running water.