This is my first time in New York, I thought those steam pipes were a hack to fix steam build up in the sewer system. I didn't realize it's a separate system. A

This is my first time in New York, I thought those steam pipes were a hack to fix steam build up in the sewer system. I didn't realize it's a separate system. Actually the heat and hot water in the building where I'm staying is very likely steam based, just considering the age of the building and the location.