TUNNEL OF SLUDGE: In order to cut down on sewer outflows into Lake Michigan, a 26-mile- (42-kilometer-) long deep tunnel was built to hold excess wastewater. [Link to this slide] Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District
PUMPED UP:
Three pumps can move as much as 130 million gallons (492 million liters) a day out of the deep tunnel and into wastewater treatment plants using 4,000-horsepower motors that consume roughly three megawatts of power....[More]
Every three years or so, a deeper cleaning is necessary, so specially-trained divers clear out built-up siltlike material that includes leaves, stones and shredded plastics....[More]
Divers must wear contamination suits to prevent contact with sewage and prepare for cold temperatures. "We have to wear multiple layers of clothing under the suits," says Jeff Spoerl of Veolia, another diver....[More]
Divers had to descend more than 300 feet (90 meters) in this crane-lowered basket before diving down an additional 30 feet (nine meters) to do their muck-clearing....[More]
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This was fascinating stuff. Thank you to the men and women who are willing to do a frightening job. I would love to see a study on what drives them to be able to be
lowered into the nether world. I would think it takes a certain make up to perform these duties. My hat is off to them. I think my legs would give out
at the sight of that hole, and my heart would stop on the descend. Whew,
scarry.
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4 Comments
Add CommentHello:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis was fascinating stuff. Thank you to the men and women who are willing to do a frightening job. I would love to see a study on what drives them to be able to be
lowered into the nether world. I would think it takes a certain make up to
perform these duties. My hat is off to them. I think my legs would give out
at the sight of that hole, and my heart would stop on the descend. Whew,
scarry.
I think all that is required is training as a professional diver, and the ability to take a good long hot shower after the dive.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAnd a full face mask!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHow's the tunnel working? Is it successful? This story could use a follow-up!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this