Disclaimer #1: When it rains, no drains.

Disclaimer #2: Leave no trace.

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It used to be a case that overflowed sewers backed up sewage in the streets and up the toilets. Then a combined sewer overflow system was invented to prevent that and instead, temporarily discharge this wastewater directly into the environment during massive rain storms (yes, we do have these some times in Seattle).

Obviously with increasing population in Seattle and the ever-increasing public outcry about these overflow events as well as pressure from EPA to municipalities, a better system was deemed necessary.

Many cities around the country are now working on similar systems of dealing with sewage and stormwater by temporarily storing it in massive tunnels underground to buffer the load on treatment plants and process wastewater more responsibly when storms subside. Best example is decades-long TARP in Chicago. Similar projects exist in Seattle and Portland.

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This particular place that shall remain nameless diverts sewage and stormwater from the streets into a very long tunnel. There is some interesting mechanics and fluid management involved with that. A little control room handles odour management so pesky yuppies above don't complain while a massive hydraulic gate controls inflow into the tunnel. Can't wait to see it in operation during a storm!

Hm, cool... I am not exploring right now but I still see manholes/hatches and imagine stuff like this below. It's funny to know there just might be something like this down one of them. Thanks for sharing!

That's really cool, thanks for sharing. I hope to eventually stumble across this in my city.

I'd never seen anything like this place before, and to be honest, I was a little sketched out at first by all the gas meters and stuff. Good thing I had such a knowledgeable person showing me the ropes.

That orange-tinted pic is awesome, it makes the place look like there is a furnace somewhere nearby. I also really like the one that multiplies one person into four people.

This location was also a reminder of a lesson I have started to learn recently: I'm going to need better lights and a more advanced camera if I am going to take any photos in pitch-black conditions like these. All of my shots turned out to be blurry garbage.

Out of curiosity, what do they use for odor control? That would have to be a mighty big charcoal filter so I'm guessing it's something more suitable for huge volumes like a wet air scrubber

Posted by Crypton Disclaimer #2: Leave no trace.

+1

Posted by LuminousAphid Out of curiosity, what do they use for odor control? That would have to be a mighty big charcoal filter so I'm guessing it's something more suitable for huge volumes like a wet air scrubber

Not sure, but I guess a clever system of utilizing positive pressure and such: http://www.tpomag....chemicals_or_media

Rad! Thanks for sharing, Crypton.

Posted by Crypton Not sure, but I guess a clever system of utilizing positive pressure and such: http://www.tpomag....chemicals_or_media

That's really interesting, I'm glad I asked. All the types I looked at had some sort of media, it's pretty cool that air can be used as the absorbtion media.

Amazing!!!

Would make a good scifi movie set.

Crypton got this pic of me while we were down there; it's one of the first ones from my exploring adventures that I have considered printing and framing (the photo was his, I'm just happy to be in it).

1.


Up above the gate was an obviously corroded and waterlogged camera. Despite its condition, I was still a little leery about it at first until he pointed out that it wasn't even plugged into anything. A cord ran from it up along the wall, then hung loosely next to the ladder. I really got a kick out of that; now I wish I had photographed it for the "Hilariously Pathetic Security Measures" thread.

Damn nice explore. Knew these places were complex, but seeing them's a whole 'nother feeling. Great shots.

Seconding both those rules too, and adding to the first one-- no metal after rain either. Had some kid up here in Vancouver slip off a crane he was climbing after it rained.

So did you get to see it operating in the storm?

Posted by Crypton Disclaimer #1: When it rains, no drains. Disclaimer #2: Leave no trace.

Spot on Crypton. Excellent location and shots.

-Downright hella impressive!-

These are great, amazing location! Really enjoying the photography here

Posted by Monkeyhawk So did you get to see it operating in the storm?

Yes, one of the smaller storms back in early October. Not much flow actually. The hole in the ceiling is an inflow from a small storm drain coming off the street and that was a waterfall.