Julio Dives In Mexico City's Sewers
June 17, 2010 4:49 PM   Subscribe

 
The web site is called Edible Geography. No thanks.

but seriously, this is an interesting post.
posted by lukemeister at 4:59 PM on June 17, 2010


BLDGBLOG is the best. Well, and Pruned. Pruned and BLDGBLOG are the best.
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 5:04 PM on June 17, 2010


These Norwegian suits that we have

Oh God thank you Norway...
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:11 PM on June 17, 2010


Think about this the next time you complain about how much you hate your job.
posted by bwg at 5:29 PM on June 17, 2010


Fantastic article, but it gives me chills thinking about what it must be like to dive into polluted, pitch-black waters.
posted by myelin sheath at 5:36 PM on June 17, 2010


I watched the video that the article linked to. It was freaky and revolting and made me think that this guy is a huge fucking hero for doing what he does.
posted by stefanie at 5:44 PM on June 17, 2010


We work blindly in the black water. It contains animal poo, human poo, hospital waste… any kind of pollution you can think of.

Hm. I had been under the impression Julio was down by the schoolyard.

Montezuma’s treasure may be down there, but I will most likely never find it, because you can’t see anything—all you can do is feel blockages.
- of Montezuma’s revenge

People complain—they say, “There’s almost a lake in the street.” Well, yeah—that lake is there because of your rubbish"

I would like this guy even if I didn't admire him.
posted by Smedleyman at 5:55 PM on June 17, 2010


What a shitty job.
posted by Skygazer at 5:59 PM on June 17, 2010


Edible Geography is a great blog, it deserves a bookmark if you are even slightly interested in food and the related issues.
posted by Keith Talent at 6:04 PM on June 17, 2010


I just popped in to let people know that there's no way I am clicking that link, and that I will pretend I live in a world where this post does not exist. Carry on.
posted by cjorgensen at 6:30 PM on June 17, 2010


cjorgensen, if you don't click the link in the FPP, at least click on the video stefanie linked to, to be able to your grandkids that you've done it.

You can smell the arse end of Mexico City through your monitor.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 6:32 PM on June 17, 2010


This equipment has to be in one hundred percent perfect condition—it mustn’t fail.

Understatement.

And yes, I clicked. I have no words.
posted by cjorgensen at 6:36 PM on June 17, 2010


the other requirement for being a sewage diver is that you’re not disgusted by the water, because sometimes we arrive at the place and it really smells. For some people, that smell can be unbearable. We’re so used to it, we don’t even smell it anymore.

Human adaptability to horrible conditions never ceases to amaze me. Thanks very much for posting this.
posted by cybercoitus interruptus at 6:51 PM on June 17, 2010


If I had a suit like that, I could maybe handle this job. Except for the fear that I would one day run into a live water snake that could bit through my suit.
posted by SpacemanStix at 7:14 PM on June 17, 2010


There are about fifteen pumping plants around the city and they vary in depth from eight to fifteen and even twenty metres.

Is he saying that they dive down up to twenty metres? In garbage infested water so deep you can't see anything? Wow.
posted by SpacemanStix at 7:22 PM on June 17, 2010


Except for the fear that I would one day run into a live water snake that could bit through my suit.

Made worse by the thought that there's a snake that can live and swim through, quite literally, shit. That's an awfully sad and scary thought.

This is a great article. I mean, I know the word "hero" gets tossed around an awful lot these days, but...
posted by Ufez Jones at 7:28 PM on June 17, 2010


We use these same helmets and hoses where I work.

Many dives are done in complete blackness, the diver keeping a mental track of where they're at in relation to what they're working on, where their downline is and their tools, while at the same time remembering they've got a hose trailing behind them...Not to mention using cranes. Try booming up and swinging a load while blindfolded.

The biggest danger for him sounds like what's called Delta P, or pressure differential. When something is partially blocking the flow of water, the increased pressure of the water flowing through the remaining smaller opening has trapped and killed many a diver.

Still, drysuit diving in sewer water? *shudder*
posted by atchafalaya at 7:36 PM on June 17, 2010 [1 favorite]


That was fascinating and slightly terrifying stuff.
posted by gomichild at 9:08 PM on June 17, 2010


nothing to say but it was fascinating.
posted by saul wright at 9:50 PM on June 17, 2010


I will never, never, never complain about any job I have for the rest of my life so long as this doesn't become my job.

You're a better man than I am, Julio.
posted by Joey Michaels at 11:59 PM on June 17, 2010


Good afternoon, my name is Julio and I’m a diver in the sewage here in Mexico City. You kill my father. Prepare to die.

Also, suck it Rowe.
posted by hypersloth at 1:14 AM on June 18, 2010


Thanks, Fiasco de Gama, this was a fascinating read. And a lot of great links from the article itself to keep me busy for a while!
posted by vacapinta at 3:09 AM on June 18, 2010


And I bitch about me job. Sheesh.
posted by stormpooper at 6:05 AM on June 18, 2010


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