In the early hours of several recent mornings, groups of individuals dressed in chest waders and equipped with headlamps have been observed entering and exiting manholes within New York City’s extensive sewer system. These incidents, captured on video and circulating widely on social media, have raised concerns among city officials and residents about the safety and security implications of unauthorized access to underground infrastructure.
Since May, at least four such episodes have been reported across various neighborhoods, including Midtown Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. The most recent known event occurred on August 18 near Pennsylvania Station, where multiple people emerged from a manhole along Seventh Avenue. A fifth incident was reported on Long Island in late August, when a group entered a manhole in Wantagh. Police have charged two men with criminal trespassing in connection with a July sewer diving incident in Brooklyn, but authorities have yet to determine the motivations behind these entries.
City officials caution that unauthorized entry into the sewer system is both dangerous and illegal. Déja Stewart, spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Protection, emphasized the numerous hazards present underground, including exposure to toxic gases, flooding risks, and confined spaces. “Members of the public should never enter a pipe, drain, catch basin, manhole or outfall,” she advised, underscoring the risks to individual safety and the potential threat to critical infrastructure.
New York City Councilman Phil Wong, representing parts of Queens, has raised concerns about missing or displaced manhole covers in his district, which may allow easy access to the sewer network. Cable workers have suggested that some individuals may be scavenging for valuable materials such as copper wiring. Wong has called for hearings aimed at enhancing the security and sealing of manholes to prevent future unauthorized access.
Longtime urban explorer Steve Duncan, who has spent over two decades exploring New York’s subterranean passages, described the groups caught on camera as experienced. He noted their use of appropriate gear, timing visits during low-flow periods at night, and their ability to remove heavy manhole covers suggest familiarity with the underground environment. While theories about scavenging persist, Duncan expressed skepticism, citing his own extensive explorations without finding valuable items. He characterized sewer diving as an impractical method of obtaining money due to the risks and equipment required.
Witness accounts further illuminate some of the activities. In early May, Admir Jakupovic, owner of an auto detailing shop in the Queens neighborhood of Astoria, observed three men opening a manhole near his business. City inspectors later reported no damage to the system at that location, though Jakupovic noted the strong odor of wastewater emanating from the sewer.
Several other incursions in Brooklyn have also drawn police attention. On May 28 in Gravesend, a group entered the sewer system for several hours, with two men subsequently charged with criminal trespass. In South Williamsburg, another group was recorded exiting a manhole before fleeing the scene. Investigations into these episodes remain ongoing.
The issue of unsecured manholes poses ongoing safety risks. In May, a 56-year-old woman died after falling into an open manhole in Midtown Manhattan, a tragedy highlighting the danger of exposed infrastructure. Councilman Wong reported that despite efforts to address the problem, multiple manholes remain uncovered or improperly secured in some parts of the city.
Authorities continue to monitor these developments, urging the public to avoid entry into the sewer system and calling for increased measures to protect the city’s underground networks from unauthorized access.