Sure, that's true of recent (< 200 yr ago) history, but plumbing's contribution to health and longevity goes all the way back to ancient Rome. (Somewhat ironica

Sure, that's true of recent (< 200 yr ago) history, but plumbing's contribution to health and longevity goes all the way back to ancient Rome. (Somewhat ironically, plumbing, from the Latin word for lead, "plumbus", may have also contributed indirectly to Rome's eventual decline.)