Is it warmed-up pee? Mystery of NYC’s steam stacks goes viralBy Andrew Court
August 3, 2023
This song is steaming hot.
A comedian has gone viral on TikTok after composing an 80s-style pop anthem that asks a question that’s long plagued New Yorkers: What, exactly, is coming out of those orange and white steam stacks set up all across the Big Apple?
Tom McGovern has clocked up more than 5.5 million views with the Springsteen-esque song that features a saxophone solo from Big Apple resident Gabi Rose.
“What the f – – k is happening here? What is coming out of the ground?” McGovern asks in the catchy track that is accompanied by visuals of the eye-catching contraptions. “Why is everybody in the city acting like they aren’t worried while they’re walking around?”
McGovern told The Post on Thursday that he couldn’t stop thinking about the steam stacks after they were pointed out to him by a friend.
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It turns out McGovern’s warmed-up urine theory is far from accurate. The steam is simply made from pure water and isn’t harmful to your health.
New York City has a huge network of underground steam pipes, currently managed by ConEdison.
The steam system started in 1882, with the network today running 106 miles and delivering steam to 1530 customers, including the Empire State Building and Grand Central Station.
The steam helps keep buildings warm in winter and is used to power cooling systems in summer. It also heats up water and, according to Bloomberg, is “a cleaner and more efficient alternative to having each building operate its own boiler.”
However, steam occasionally leaks from the pipes prompting ConEd workers to employ the large orange and white steam stacks on the street before carrying out maintenance work.
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Source:
https://nypost.com/2023/08/03/is-it-warmed-up-pee-mystery-of-nys-steam-stacks-goes-viral/
