Berlin is lit with pink pipes, they're everywhere and part of the city's fabric like kebab shops. With over 60km of the tubes on display, most folks assume they're an art installation. But is it true? And why are they pink?
So what's their purpose? Simply put, they're pumping groundwater from construction sites into the Spree River. Berlin's swampy foundations mean each construction site has to take care of its own water. The tubes are removable, but with construction happening all the time, they stay put.
Why do construction companies not use the normal sewer system?
Why not just use the normal sewer system? It's all about the €€€. Getting rid of water through the sewer system is possible but would cost a pretty penny. The pink tubes, however, are a cost-effective solution, costing just 1 euro per meter per month.
And why pink, you ask?
There's not just pink, but blue too. The pink pipes are offered by Pollems and the blue by Brechtel. Pollems went with the rosy hue based on the recommendations of psychologists, who said the color appeals to both kids and adults, reminding them to stay young and cheerful.