Hi again, Forgot to mention this in my last post. I’ve got a character who works in the sewers, and is making his way down there to fix “something”. What it is doesn’t really matter, because I just need him down there on his own. But I can’t for the life of me think what would possibly need fixing in an actual sewer tunnel!! As I said, it’s not hugely important, but at the minute I’m just callin it a “dial” which isn’t specific at all and probably inaccurate. Any ideas? Thanks again Piper
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/treating-sewage/ I googled it, not to be snide, I actually got to wondering after reading your question.
I don't know if it's true of other places, but a big problem in London's sewers is 'fat bergs'. People pour oils and fats down the sink after cooking, and when the fats cool in the sewers they harden into huge lumps (along with nappies, wipes, tampons and other non-degradable things people flush) and block the sewers. Sewer workers have to go down into the tunnels and manually scrape the fat away. I watched a video a few days ago of a worker going down (alone) to clear one, but I can't find it now. Grr. This is another video I found: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/video/2017/sep/12/vast-fatberg-blocks-london-sewage-system-video
Thank you both for your replies, it’s been really helpful to have this response and I think I know what I’m doing now. Thanks again!
If this is in the UK like your other post, it is not that realistic for someone to go down into the sewers alone. Barring perhaps office work it is deemed unsafe to be alone with no one knowing where you are. Sewage is rife with pathogens and the UK really clamps down on those who break health and safety laws, with enforcers now able to put unlimited fines on businesses that break such laws. Individuals who do not comply with company health and safety procedures can be charged personally as well.
Sewage workers often do go down alone - those tunnels are narrow! There would definitely be H&S procedures in place and there would be people at the opening, in verbal communication with the worker if at all possible, but it's not unusual for a worker to be alone in a tunnel. (My cousin J is a sewer worker. It's not done wonders for his love life, I tell you. )
