why in new york steam comes out of the drains?

Consolidated Edison, the utility that serves New York City distributes electricity, natural gas, and steam to customers throughout the city.

The steam distribution system allows customers to purchase steam for space heating and to heat water in buildings,. Ultimately, this is more efficient that for them to purchase gas (or oil) and operate local boilers.

The steam pipes that run underground naturally operate at high temperature. The steam that you see coming out of manholes is created when water (rainwater, snow melt, etc) comes in contact with those hot pipes.

It is theoretically possible that some of the steam you see could be from leaks, but in reality steam leaks are exceedingly rare.

My friend, many older buildings in New York City, in particular those in Manhattan, use steam to provide heat and hot water to their tenants. Therefore, the steam you see coming out of the manhole comes from the 14th Street Power Station, which is located on Manhattan's Lower East Side.

The 14th Street Power Station is one of the several power stations that provide electricity to Manhattan and the outer boroughs.

I hope this information is very helpful.

Good luck

Native New Yorker

Planting Steam can come from manholes for several different reasons. The most common is water coming into contact with the hot steam main, which causes causes vapor. Another source is leaks, either within the manhole or leaks in the piping between manholes.

The key fact is that many older buildings are heated by steam generated by the power company, so there are pipes full of superheated live steam under the streets. If rain or other water comes into contact with those pipes, it boils and vents into the air.

Clogging

thats the ninja turtles taking showers