2025 Summer Manhole Cover Challenge Gallery
Every cover tells a story — and each photo below is a snapshot into the hidden infrastructure that keeps our cities running strong. Thank you to everyone who has joined our 2025 Summer Manhole Cover Challenge!
Explore the gallery, discover unique designs from around the world, and help us celebrate the unseen world beneath our feet.
Taipei, Taiwan
Submitted by: Bert Bean
Company: Tnemec
Company: Tnemec
Sayulita, Mexico
Who says manhole covers are just for sewer? Snapped while exploring Sayulita, this vibrant lid is a reminder that even infrastructure can reflect local character and creativity.
Submitted by: Vaughn Odea
Company: Epoxytec
Submitted by: Vaughn Odea
Company: Epoxytec
Kansas City, Missouri
This manhole cover features a unique rendering of the word “sewer,” making it stand out in a subtle but memorable way.
Submitted by: Teri Jordan
Company: Tnemec
Submitted by: Teri Jordan
Company: Tnemec
Cary, North Carolina
Spotted at a public park in Cary, this manhole cover stood out for its design. So much so, Mike even shared it with the Town of Cary and encouraged them to submit it to the challenge!
Submitted by: Mike Anderson
Company: TSE
Submitted by: Mike Anderson
Company: TSE
Taipei, Taiwan
This vibrant manhole cover showcases fish and trees, echoing the natural elements that shape the city’s landscape and culture.
Submitted by: Bert Bean
Company: Tnemec
Submitted by: Bert Bean
Company: Tnemec
Bled, Slovenia
This manhole cover features a design inspired by a 6th-century peacock-shaped clasp discovered beneath Bled Castle. A symbol of paradise, life, and abundance, the clasp is considered the most significant archaeological find in Bled and is now housed in the National Museum of Slovenia.
Submitted by: Helen Li
Company: Toronto Water
Submitted by: Helen Li
Company: Toronto Water
Budapest, Hungary
This polished brass manhole cover was spotted on Váci Street, a pedestrian-only boulevard lined with designer shops, restaurants, and souvenir stands. Unlike the typical rusty or worn lids, this one gleamed in the sunlight — a striking detail among the granite pavers.
The cover features Budapest’s coat of arms: the upper castle represents Pest, and the lower castle represents Buda, separated by a wavy line symbolizing the Danube River. A lion and griffin flank the emblem, and at the top sits the Holy Crown of Hungary — the coronation crown used by kings from the 12th to 20th centuries. Look closely and you’ll notice the cross is bent — a nod to the real crown, which was damaged in the 17th century. Today, the Holy Crown is housed in the Hungarian Parliament and protected by the 32nd Budapest Guard and Ceremonial Regiment.
Submitted by: Helen Li
Company: Toronto
Submitted by: Helen Li
Company: Toronto
Frankfort, Kentucky
This manhole cover was manufactured by HOE of Kentucky for the City of Frankfort Sewer Department (FSD). A Kentucky-made product, this cover is commonly used by municipalities across the state.
Submitted by: Kevin Young
Company: Hazen and Sawyer
Submitted by: Kevin Young
Company: Hazen and Sawyer
Las Vegas, Nevada
This manhole cover is packed with iconic imagery: the Hoover Dam, a skyscraper, an airplane, and a yucca plant — all uniquely representing the region.
Submitted by: Michael Rocco
Company: AUI, Inc.
Submitted by: Michael Rocco
Company: AUI, Inc.
Salem, Massachusetts
Spotted while vacationing in historic Salem. The ship logo on this manhole cover stood out — a perfect nod to the city’s maritime roots.
Submitted by: Michael Rocco
Company: AUI, Inc.
Submitted by: Michael Rocco
Company: AUI, Inc.
Freiburg, Germany
Freiburg, Germany — Submitted by a foreign exchange student attending university in Freiburg. This square manhole cover caught the eye — a subtle but unique twist on traditional designs.
Submitted by: Michael Rocco
Company: AUI, Inc.
Submitted by: Michael Rocco
Company: AUI, Inc.
Goslar, Germany
Spotted while visiting our foreign exchange student and her family in their hometown of Goslar.
Submitted by: Michael Rocco
Company: AUI, Inc.
Submitted by: Michael Rocco
Company: AUI, Inc.
Goslar, Germany
Spotted while visiting our foreign exchange student and her family in their hometown of Goslar.
Submitted by: Michael Rocco
Company: AUI, Inc.
Submitted by: Michael Rocco
Company: AUI, Inc.
Orlando, Florida
Taken at Universal Islands of Adventure.
Submitted by: Alexis Callahan
Company: Stantec
Submitted by: Alexis Callahan
Company: Stantec
Bratislava, Slovakia
Interesting street artwork (not a manhole cover). Submitted for interest!
Submitted by: Jack Lee
Company: WSP Canada
Submitted by: Jack Lee
Company: WSP Canada
Prague, Czech Republic
Manhole cover in the historic Old City.
Submitted by: Shaun Danco
Company: Stray Cat Industrial Services Ltd
Submitted by: Shaun Danco
Company: Stray Cat Industrial Services Ltd
Karlovy, Czech Republic
Famous spa town known for its hot springs and as a filming location for James Bond’s "Casino Royale". This manhole is at the historic Grandhotel Pupp, built in 1701.
Submitted by: Shaun Danco
Company: Stray Cat Industrial Services Ltd
Submitted by: Shaun Danco
Company: Stray Cat Industrial Services Ltd
St. Augustine, Florida
On my first visit to the St. George Street area, I saw many unique manhole covers and old fire hydrants while taking my wife’s father’s ashes back to his birthplace, her hometown.
Submitted by: Jeremiah Fields
Company: Culy Contracting
Submitted by: Jeremiah Fields
Company: Culy Contracting
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Discovered this hidden manhole cover while searching for a tremendously bad golf shot.
Submitted by: Chase Bean
Company: Tnemec
Submitted by: Chase Bean
Company: Tnemec
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Old and visually striking manhole cover.
Submitted by: Ian Clapham
Company: Lanes Group
Submitted by: Ian Clapham
Company: Lanes Group
Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian has a long history with the railroad industry and is the birthplace of the ‘Singing Brakeman,’ the father of country music, Jimmie Rodgers.
Submitted by: Clif McDonald
Company: Tnemec
Submitted by: Clif McDonald
Company: Tnemec
La Vista, Nebraska
The foundry that produced this manhole cover was local to the municipality, which purchased and installed it.
Submitted by: Kevin Morris
Company: Tnemec
Submitted by: Kevin Morris
Company: Tnemec
Wellington, New Zeland
Māori-inspired artwork depicting indigenous cultural motifs.
Submitted by: Lily Caputi
Company: N/A
Submitted by: Lily Caputi
Company: N/A
Daytona, Florida
Features the outline and logo of the Daytona International Speedway.
Submitted by: Nick Modany
Company: JMT
Submitted by: Nick Modany
Company: JMT
Krems, Austria
Features the city’s coat of arms on the manhole cover.
Submitted by: Jack Lee
Company: WSP Canada
Submitted by: Jack Lee
Company: WSP Canada
Budapest, Hungary
Represents the unification of Buda and Pest into one city, captured in this unique manhole cover.
Submitted by: Karen Mann
Company: Epoxytec
Submitted by: Karen Mann
Company: Epoxytec
Budapest, Hungary
Symbolizes the coming together of Buda and Pest as one city, making this manhole cover unique.
Submitted by: Karen Mann
Company: Epoxytec
Submitted by: Karen Mann
Company: Epoxytec
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Most grease trap covers are generic, but this one stands out. Cast by Barger and Sons, it proudly includes detailed specifications — a sign of care and craftsmanship not often seen in this type of lid.
Submitted by: Kevin Young
Company: Hazen and Sawyer
Submitted by: Kevin Young
Company: Hazen and Sawyer
Charleston, South Carolina
Submitted by: Ashley Grotewiel
Company: Tnemec
Company: Tnemec
London, UK
This cover is marked with “Paddington.”
Submitted by: Ashley Grotewiel
Company: Tnemec
Submitted by: Ashley Grotewiel
Company: Tnemec
Kansas City, Missouri
Submitted by: Ashley Grotewiel
Company: Tnemec
Company: Tnemec
Prague, Czech Republic
Submitted by: Cody Mann
Company: Azamara
Company: Azamara
Detroit, Michigan
Who doesn’t love Detroit Red Wings legend Nicklas Lidstrom?
Submitted by: Tyler Wydendorf
Company: City of Dearborn
Submitted by: Tyler Wydendorf
Company: City of Dearborn
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Manhole located in front of our office.
Submitted by: Obie Watts
Company: Jacobs
Submitted by: Obie Watts
Company: Jacobs
Buxton, United Kingdom
Features a unique manufacturer’s name on the cover.
Submitted by: Ian Clapham
Company: Lanes Group
Submitted by: Ian Clapham
Company: Lanes Group
Macclesfield, United Kingdom
Features a double triangulated design.
Submitted by: Ian Clapham
Company: Lanes Group
Submitted by: Ian Clapham
Company: Lanes Group
New Orleans, Louisiana
Spotted this NOPSI manhole cover on a work trip. At first, I thought it meant we weren’t welcome — but it turns out NOPSI stands for New Orleans Public Service Inc.!
Submitted by: Melissa Molina
Company: AMPP
Submitted by: Melissa Molina
Company: AMPP
San Pancho, Mexico
Submitted by: Vaughn O'Dea
Company: Epoxytec/Tnemec
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Submitted by: Clif McDonald
Company: Tnemec
Think you have the perfect shot? Submissions close July 31 — share yours today and join the challenge.
