INFOGRAPHIC: Could Captain America use a manhole cover as his shield?

It's not made of vibranium, but could a manhole cover keep Cap protected?
Original Captain America rendering—without the manhole cover—by R. Meinerding.

The latest Captain America movie is big news in Cleveland, and particularly big news with us at the Sewer District. So that led us to an obvious question:

Could a manhole cover stop a bullet?

HEROES: Could these superheroes' alter egos have found better career options?

As Marvel Studios' "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" release date edges closer and closer—an event in which we hold particular interest—we've got superheroes on the brain.

Of course, Captain America's alter ego was Steve Rogers, whose comic book origins state he was a fine arts student and budding illustrator. If he hadn't become Cap, what might his career options have been?

We considered the same question for several other comic book classics, and wondered if they could have found a place in the clean-water industry. Here were a few ideas, and the list is certainly far from all-inclusive.

CAREERS: neorsd.org/careers
COMICS: Information from Masked Heroes

EXCLUSIVE: Captain America's Cleveland visit last year included scenes at Southerly plant, Lakeview Dam

Actors Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, and Cobie Smulders—stars of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"—signed a wall in one of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District facilities where they filmed several scenes for the movie set to be released next month. Photo credit Jean Chapman, NEORSD.

Hollywood and the stars of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" left their mark in Cleveland last summer.

At our facilities, they left their marks right on the walls.

Yes, two Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District facilities served as shooting locations last May for the latest installment of Marvel's Captain America franchise, set for release next month. Those locations included a series of tunnels under our Southerly plant in Cuyahoga Heights, and Lakeview Cemetery Dam in Cleveland. When filming concluded at each location, the actors signed two walls where the scenes took place.

"It was an amazing opportunity for us," said Manager of Community and Media Relations Jean Chapman. "We we able to accommodate the shoot without impacting our services."

Local media reported that the Sewer District might have been one of several Cleveland shooting locations for crews and stars last summer, but we could not confirm that fact based on our agreement with the production company. Jean said the company was very grateful for the accommodations we offered, and it was a reflection of the welcoming reception they received from Cleveland overall.

Cobie Smulders and Scarlett Johansson's
signatures at Lakeview Dam.

In gratitude for allowing crews to film on our locations, producers made a donation to the Cleveland Foodbank, a partner our employees have supported in previous fundraising campaigns.

While shooting in downtown Cleveland took center stage last summer, many onlookers wondered where stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Chris Evans were while stunt doubles received most of the camera time. The signatures in our photos reveal where they might have been.

The "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" cast list includes Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Chris Evans as Captain America, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Anthony Mackie as The Falcon, and Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill. 

The movie is set for an April 4 release, and two of its trailers include clips that were filmed on our sites—but we admit that the fleeting glimpses might only be recognizable by employees familiar with the locations.

A tunnel under a building at Southerly. The tunnel was not being used at the time of the shoot.

The top of Lakeview Cemetery Dam. This area is typically accessed by maintenance personnel.

HOLLYWOOD: Here's our pitch, 4 films, 4 genres, 1 common theme: Clean water. And us.

From superheroes to sports dramas, Hollywood has made Cleveland home this summer and we're loving it.

Sure, we offered a plant tour to Captain America and guests (the offer still stands, BTW), but it got us thinking, "Would Hollywood find our unsung work worthy of the silver screen?"

To get that conversation started, we wanted to pitch a few plot lines that were rooted in our clean-water work—but had touches of drama, or villainy, or romance that just may appeal to some key movie-going demographics.

So picture this...

SUPER: Who are your heroes? (Cape not required)

It's a week of heroes, across America and here in Northeast Ohio.

Sure, today marks Superman's 75th birthday, and Cleveland—where co-creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster gave life to the Man of Steel—has marked the week with #SuperCle photos and stories from across the region and an official Superman Day commemoration this afternoon. Cleveland is also preparing for the return of Captain America as filming details emerged yesterday.

But most importantly, in countless acts amidst tragedies this week, some of the biggest heroes are those without capes or costumes. From Boston to Texas, first-responders continue to exhibit the best of humanity no comic book or silver screen could ever capture. Most of them may never even have their stories told at all, instead remaining known only by the lives they touched.

Everyone loves heroes. From saving animals to preventing disaster, we love sharing inspiring acts performed by our own employees and they resonate with us. All stories of heroism do. Our hats are off to the heroes sung and unsung this week from all across our country.

At home, at work, in your family or neighborhood, who have been your heroes?