Uncovering an Enormous Water Pipe

January 24, 2018

Remember that excavator I spotted, a few days ago? Well today, Liz and I were walking by it on the way to the train… and saw a few workers nearby.

The excavator was running again (guessing someone went and ). But the large metal plate in the road had been moved to one side… and we were able to peer in.

And spotted this enormous water pipe! We stopped and asked one of the workers a few questions, and learned that this was a “feeder” pipe, destined for the far suburbs.

Smaller water pipes feed the houses in the area, but this guy… apparently transports water out beyond Chicago. And something with the emergency shutoff valve here was broken, or it didn’t work… and it had to be replaced.

I’m not sure if it was just some part, or this whole section – but it sounded like a big deal. I can see how an emergency shutoff for something of this size might be kind of important.

Once more, this was one of those moments where I could have just gotten a coffee, pulled up a chair, and just watched this for the rest of the day. If only I didn’t have to go to work…