Subjects People

Black and white photo of a worker with darker skin, wearing protective clothing, gloves, and a hard hat with the number 25 on the front, reaching up out of a sewer manhole, only head, shoulders, and left arm visible.

Manholes like this give access to city’s sewer system, 1961

Black and white photo of a worker with darker skin, wearing protective clothing, gloves, and a hard hat with the number 25 on the front, reaching up out of a sewer manhole, only head, shoulders, and left arm visible.

Sewer Inspections: Vintage Images

Philadelphia Underground, Jan. 29, 1961

“Philadelphia Underground,” Jan. 29, 1961

Sewer Crawlers, Jan. 29, 1961

“Sewer Crawlers,” January 29, 1961

Photo of a woman looking at a jar of raw, untreated sewage

Jar of raw sewage before treatment, 2000

City officials tour new interceptor sewer, 1953

Swimmers at Pier 126, Delaware River July 15, 1918

Swimmers at Pier 126, Delaware River, July 15, 1918

Photo of Allegheny Avenue Sewer, Pier 126, Delaware River, July 15, 1918

Allegheny Avenue Sewer at Pier 126, 1918

Man standing in front of Bingham Street Sewer, 1921

Bingham Street Sewer, East of Tacony Creek, 1921

Photo of a work crew constructing a sewer in Rock Run, Tacony Creek, Philadelphia

Sewer construction, Rock Run, 1922