[MUSIC]

Joan Cartan-Hansen, Host: Sewers
or waste water treatment systems

have problems because people put
things down their drains that

they shouldn't.

Don't put household cleaning
supplies or any wipes down the

drain.

It is very important not to
flush medicine.

Medicine isn't removed by
wastewater treatment, so it

stays in the water.

And that can have a bad impact
on aquatic species, even our own

drinking water.

In fact, there are only four
things that should go into a

toilet.

We call them the four P's: Pee,
Poop, Puke, the contents of your

stomach when you vomit or toilet
paper.

And you should also be careful
about what goes into your

kitchen sink.

It's attached to the waste water
treatment process too.

Don't put things like grease
down the drain.

Instead, let it firm up and then
wipe it out of the pan with a

paper towel and throw the wad
away.

Don't let bones, egg shells,
coffee grounds, rice or pasta go

down the drain.

In fact, don't let anything go
down your sinks or into your

toilet that might cause a clog.

For more information about
sewage, check out the science

trek website.

You'll find it at science trek
dot org