Explore the waterworks

Explore the waterworks was a mission in Ratchet & Clank. An unassigned mission, Ratchet explored the nearby waterworks after crash landing on planet Novalis, eventually running into the Plumber for the first time. Immediately after follows the mission Buy Infobot from mechanic, which Ratchet also completed, earning himself the co-ordinates to planet Aridia

Walkthrough
Instead of taking the nearby elevator down, for the mission "Find a new ship", turn around and head into the large passageway with water quickly flowing in your direction. Said water forces you to take an impromptu path consisting of falling stalactites and hydraulic platforms. At the end, through a doorway, are several peckbots, destroy these using either your OmniWrench or Bomb Glove, and head into the next room. Some birdbots will notice you now, so handle these as you cross the gap of water, taking care of any crates and bolts, and continue in the next larger room.

A larger gap of water will bar your way, the distance too great to jump, forcing you to swim to the lower steps on the right end and climb up from there. This will have to be done again for the next jump as well, except this time the steps are mirrored on the left end. Afterwards, climb the nearby hydraulics to reach a thin walkway near the ceiling. Carefully follow it to the next and final room. After the cutscene with the Plumber you have effectively completed "Explore the waterworks" and directly transition into "Buy Infobot from mechanic". Pay him the required five hundred bolts and follow him down the sewer pipe after the cutscene to the starting area.