The Waterworks
This is the second largest public utility in the city after N’uma’ner. Due to the climate where very little rain falls, most of the city’s water come from underground reservoirs, and in the last few decades finding new sources has become more and more difficult. Because of this the waterworks extends across a network of hundreds of miles of tunnels. There are over a dozen reservoirs in use at the moment, but most of their manpower is being used to dig and extend existing tunnels further and deeper than they ever have been before. Over 3,000 people work for the Waterworks, consisting of a majority of dwarves, some humans and a few dozen newly constructed Warforged.
Longer distance travel in the tunnels occurs along tracks using hand powered carts, these longer stretches are often unlit, and to those unused to life underground can find these stretches unsettling. When heavier loads need moving along tracks, Warforged are called for as they don’t tire. The busier throughways have two tracks, one for outbound travel and another for return trips, preventing delays or potential crashes. Smaller branches have the occasional crossing point. Switching between routes requires a large metallic switch to be activated, experienced Miners are able to switch these while the cart is moving by swinging an outstretched shovel or pickaxe. Each cart runs on a pair of vertically alligned wheels that embrace the central rail. At certain points where carts move quickly the tracks themselves tilt to a side when they curve, occupants who are unused to this often get shunted to one side violently.
The Waterworks are overseen by Councilmember Ceri Craghammer but their day to day operations are handled by their Chief Engineer Gwilym Pickerthone. Gwilym has worked his whole life for The Waterworks, and his knowledge of the systems used to transport water vast distances are second to none. Even more than his passion for fulfilling the waterworks purpose Gwilym values all the men and women under his command and will do anything to make sure they’re ok.
Gwilym is most often seen in the same uniform as most of the workers, a dark grey oversuit, thick boots. His short hair is covered by a wide brimmed protective metal helmet. His beard reaches his clavicle and much like his face, is covered in dust and ash. He has weathered features and small, focused grey eyes.
Few outside the works understand the significant challenges involved in keeping the city from drought. Each new reservoir discovered is a lifeline to the city for several years, if not longer. Getting the water from it to Bastion involves complex machinery and infrastructure that most would consider magic but is grounded in the science of engineering, developed over centuries.
Exploratory mining is rarely fruitless, even if it fails to find a new reservoir, as the minerals and ores excavated are used in the city for construction or manufacturing. The mining itself is still quite perilous, in spite of the expertise of those carrying it out. Cave ins can occur quickly, becoming lost is a real risk and there are many monstrous predators in the deep, dark places.
Exploratory Miners often spend weeks underground before returning home, setting up small temporary living spaces along the shaft they’re working on.
Type
Water pump / Well, Large
Parent Location
Owner
Owning Organization
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