Kyoto City to sell 3 used Maintenance Hole Covers to the Public for 1st Time

The city had previously sold unwanted sewage maintenance hole covers as scrap iron for about 3,000 yen (roughly $20) each to a vendor, but it decided to raise the price in anticipation of demand for "local maintenance hole" lids, which are unique to each municipality and have become increasingly popular among collectors in recent years.

There are three types of covers to be sold to the public, manufactured in 1978, 1981 and 1990. They are 66 centimeters in diameter and 80 to 90 kilograms in weight. The one made in 1990 is decorated with a pattern of wheels of a "court carriage" in reference to the ancient capital, while the lids made in 1978 and 1981, before the popularization of regional designs, have a simple pattern with the city emblem at the center. All of them have rust and scratches as they had been in use for more than 30 years.

According to the Kyoto City Water Supply and Sewerage Bureau, there are approximately 160,000 maintenance holes in the city. The standard service life of the covers is 15 years on roadways and 30 years on sidewalks, according to the national government, and about 1,500 lids are replaced each year in the city. The general sale of maintenance hole covers is intended to increase interest in sewage systems and generate revenue effectively. An official said, "We will sell three pieces as a starter in order to understand the needs. If they are well received, we would like to sell more."