Seattle-based company Global Diving and Salvage has been contracted to repair the leaking water tunnel which transports half of the overall needed water supply to the residents of New York City. According to reports, about 20 million gallons of water coming from the Catskill Mountains leaks out of the tunnel per day and on several occasions, the leakage went as high as 36 million gallons.

New York’s Department of Environmental Protection reportedly entered in a 5-year project with Global Diving and Salvage to repair the tunnels. The contract costs $240 million.

About 6 deep-sea divers from the company are currently working on the repairs and has been living for a month in a sealed tank underwater. The said tank is equipped with additional diving equipment, oxygen, shower and television. They have been working on twelve-hour shifts everyday.

Part of the air sealed in the working tank is composed of helium. Therefore, these workers may need to stay in the tank for about seven days to remove the helium which is affecting their voice. The workers need to be conscious with their health because they’re burning more calories than usual. This was revealed by Global Diving Project Manager Robert Onesti.

Onesti assured everyone that these divers are fully qualified to do this risky job.

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