Plumber – title given to a person who is skilled in the field of sanitization

It was derived from ancient roman word PLUMBARIUS which was taken from latin word
PLUMBUM

Plumbing defined as the art & science of installing pipes, fixtures and other apparatus to covey
and supply water in building and to dispose and discharge waste water & liquids, gases and other
substance out of building in a safe, orderly, healthy, and sanitary way to ensure the health and
sanitation of life and property

The concept & importance of plumbing however became more defined and appreciated during
Greco-roman civilization

For their fanatical demand for a constant supply of clean water, romans found its expression in
the ingenuity on its famous AQUEDUCT, a water system that continuously challenge the skill of
the present crops of engineers for over 200 years.

Water was then distributed to residence in lead pipes by the 4th century c.e.

Cutaway view of a typical roman street during Roman Empire, showing lead water pipes and a
central channel for sewage under the pavement. Perpendicular connections brought sewage from
nearby homes and businesses.

Rome had 11 public baths, over 1300 public fountains and cisterns, and over 850 private baths.

The decline of Roman Empire and outbreak of deadly bubonic plague that killed 1/3 of Europe
resulted in decline of public baths and fountains. At the end of middle ages, london’s first water
system was rebuilt around 1500

The beginning of modern plumbing began in early 1800s, when steam engines became capable of
supplying water under pressure and inexpensive cast iron pipes could be produced to carry it.

Finally, it was through observation of several cholera epidemics in the mid-1800s that
epidemiologists finally recognized the link between sanitation & public health.

The discovery provided the thrust for modern water & sewage systems. In 1848, England
passed the National Public Health Act, which later became a model plumbing code for the world
to follow.

It mandated some type of sanitary disposal in every residence such as flushing toilet, a privy, or
an ash pit.

History of Philippine Plumbing

The birth of plumbing in the Philippines traced back to 17th century with Intramuros. The friar
engineers incorporate European standards in their plumbing installations.
During 18th and 19th centuries, Filipino plumbers were assigned the task of maintaining and
repairing & remodeling plumbing systems in all “pueblos” or towns on this country. The
recognized plumbers then were called “Illustrados” or the elite group to act as consultants of
plumbers’ journeymen on matters pertaining to plumbing installation in villas and mansions.

Plumbing took a great leaf at the turn 20th century, health & hygiene became priority when
epidemics including cholera, leprosy, schistosomiasis & other contagious diseases, engulfed the
Philippines. Alarmed governor general Harrison issued a letter of instruction on proper waste
disposal in all municipalities.

Later, through the initiative of Filipino master plumbers, a PLUMBING CODE based on
PLUMBING CODE of U.S. was incorporate into building code for the city of manila

In 1954, congress approved house bill 962. This became Republic Act no. 1378 otherwise known
as Plumbing Code of the Philippines signed by Ramon Magsaysay on June 18, 1955.

On January 28, 1959, NPCP prepared NAMPAP was promulgated & approved by malacanang,
likewise the Law creating the National Waterworks & Sewerage Authority of NAWASA.

WATER SUPPLY & WASTEWATER SYSTEM FOR METRO MANILA

As moisture comes off the Philippine Sea, it falls on the forest as rain later sucked up by deep
roots, then moves through plants & across the surface of leaves before returning to
atmosphere.

Winds blowing over the uneven forest canopy create turbulence, which allows atmosphere above
Sierra Madre Mountain Range located at Northeastern part of Bulacan to absorb more
moisture.

All this water the moves like a giant flowing river in the sky, falling as rain and then evaporating
again and again. Ultimately, the forest produces at least half of its own rain.

And Rainwater coming from this cycle was collected by channels of rivers and Streams at
62,309 hectares (153,970 acres) Angat Watershed Forest Reserve down to Angat Dam in
Norzagaray, Bulacan.

Angat Dam has normal high water level of 210 meters with 131 meters high and impounds water
from the from the Angat River that subsequently created the Angat Lake.

While Ipo Dam, located about 7.5k downstream of Angat Dam with a max storage capacity of
7.5 million cu.m.

Together. The 2 reservoir supplies about 90% of raw water requirements for metro manila
channels through the facilities of MWSS towards La Mesa & Old Balara Water Treatment
Plant.
The water from Angat Dam, the major supply source of the metropolis, funneled directly to Ipo
Dam. It then flows 6.4 km to MWSS Settling Basins.

Settling Basin is a technique using sedimentation to remove settle able matter and turbidity
from raw water from basin & very fine particles in the water are separated by means of gravity.

In some basins a flocculants may be added to help smaller particles stick together and form
larger particles. In engineering terminologies, Stokes’ Law can be used to calculate the size of a
settling basin needed in order to remove a desired particle size.

Cleared Water from 3 Settling Basins will be channeled to MWSS Novaliches Portal thru
6BNAQ (Balara-Novaliches AQueducts) each about 16km long.

60% allocation from Portal Junction is received by La Mesa Water Treatment Facility 1 & 2
which process 2,400 MLD (million liters per day) of raw water for 9.5 million people.

The facility is managed by Maynilad, a water and waste services provider at west zone of Metro
Manila.

While remaing 40% allocation is diverted to La Mesa Dam then channeled thru Old Balara Water
Treatment Facility 1 & 2 which process 1,600 MLD (million liters per day) of raw water for more
than 6 million people.

The facility is managed by Manila Water, a water and wastewater services provider at East
Zone of Metro Manila.

Despite of 40% allocation, Manila Water, have an open-air Water Reservoir to collect rainwater
as additional source, however due to rapidly increasing water demand & climate change La Mesa
Watershed is struggling to cope up with the deficit.

As a Result, a Bypass Aqueduct was built to connect Old Balara Treatment Plant directly from
Angat Dam as Main Source.

Maynilad currently serves over 9.5 million people in West Zone cities of:

- Caloocan
- Las Pinas
- Malabon
- Muntinlupa
- Navotas
- Paranaque
- Pasay
- Valenzuela
- City of manila
 - Portions of Quezon City
- Makati west of metro manila skyway

Manila Water currently serves over 6 million people in East Zone cities of:

- Makati
- Mandaluyong
- Pasig
- Pateros
- San Juan
- Taguig
- Marikina
- Quezon City
- Portions of Manila

All used water will go to Sewage Treatment Plants where physical, chemical & biological
processes are used to remove contaminants and produce treated wastewater that is safe
enough for release into environment.

Water is recycled again by Natural Means such as precipitation on reservoir, also with artificial
means thru Water Treatment multi-stage process of dissolved air flotation (DAF)
microfiltration, Reverse Osmosis and Chlorination.

Plumbing has 2 Main Objectives

1. To supply water to different parts of the building.

2. To remove and discharge human waste & other substance out of building into the Public
Sewer or Septic Tank

Conditions for an Effective Water Supply Building

1. To provide sufficient amount of water to supply each fixture.

2. To prevent back flow of used water into the water supply system.

Drainage Installation referred as “DWV” DRAINAGE, WASTE & VENT

D – For Drainage of Solid Waste

W – Waste coming from various fixtures other than closet

V – Ventilation of the Piping system