Plumbing ( which comes from the Latin word plumbum , which means lead , as pipes were once made from lead ) is the job of working with pipes , tubing and plumbing fixtures for drinking water systems and getting rid of waste . Plumbing ( from the Latin plumbum for lead , as pipes were once made from lead ) is the skilled trade of working with pipes , tubing and plumbing fixtures for drinking water systems and the drainage of waste .