Wastewater Operator Gains Viral Fame for Sewer Opera Performances

32-year-old Kyle Kilroy's TikTok videos of him singing opera in the sewers have captivated audiences.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A minimalist, graphic illustration featuring bold black silhouettes of an opera singer performing in an abstract, high-contrast sewer tunnel environment, conveying the conceptual idea of an unexpected artistic talent thriving in an unconventional setting.An underground opera star emerges from the sewers to captivate audiences with his unique vocal talents.Boston Today

A wastewater and drinking water operator from Massachusetts named Kyle Kilroy has gained viral fame on TikTok for his opera performances in the sewer systems where he works. Kilroy, who has been singing since middle school, began posting videos of his sewer singing, which quickly gained attention due to the unique acoustics of the underground environment.

Why it matters

Kilroy's story highlights how social media can help elevate unique talents and provide a platform for people to share their passions, even in unexpected places like sewer systems. His viral success also speaks to the public's fascination with discovering unexpected artists and the desire to celebrate everyday people with extraordinary abilities.

The details

Kilroy, a 32-year-old wastewater and drinking water operator, has been singing since he joined his middle school and high school chorus. He later trained in opera during college, though music remained a hobby. Now, the sewer system where he works provides an unusual but effective setting for his performances, as the acoustics are quite good when the blowers are off and the water is not rushing. Kilroy began posting videos of his sewer singing on TikTok, and his talent quickly gained attention, with one of his videos featuring him performing the national anthem and showcasing his operatic range.

  • Kilroy began singing in middle school and high school chorus.
  • Kilroy trained in opera during college.
  • Kilroy started posting his sewer opera performances on TikTok, which quickly went viral.

The players

Kyle Kilroy

A 32-year-old wastewater and drinking water operator from Massachusetts who has gained viral fame on TikTok for his opera performances in the sewer systems where he works.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'When the blowers aren't on, and the water's not rushing, I'm like, 'Oh, this is pretty good down here!'”

— Kyle Kilroy, Wastewater Operator

“'It took off like right away'”

— Kyle Kilroy, Wastewater Operator

“'You know, opera is kind of something that I put in my back pocket for a while. So I was like, you know, maybe I'll just give this a shot and put some feelers out and see if people like it, and the response from it was crazy. And I was like, this is awesome! Alright!'”

— Kyle Kilroy, Wastewater Operator

What’s next

Kilroy's dream is to sing the national anthem in Boston, and he hopes to achieve this goal someday.

The takeaway

Kilroy's story demonstrates how social media can help elevate unique talents and provide a platform for people to share their passions, even in unexpected places. His viral success speaks to the public's fascination with discovering extraordinary abilities in everyday people.