WEBVTT

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[MUSIC]

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Joan Cartan-Hansen, Host:
The toilet is the first stop on

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the water treatment process.

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But how does a toilet work?

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When you push down on the
handle, it lifts the flapper

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inside the tank.

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That releases water from the
tank into the bowl and then

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gravity takes over.

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The large amount of water from
the tank forces the water in the

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bowl down an "s" shaped tube.

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That tube has an "s" trap.

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When filled with water, the "s"
shape of the tube keeps out the

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smells from the sewer pipes
below and stabilizes the amount

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of water in the toilet.

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The bowl water flows into the
sewer pipes below and air

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entering the system stops the
flush.

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Then, when the tank is empty,
the flapper closes.

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The fill valve turns on and
water flows into the tank.

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As the water comes in, a float
begins to rise.

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When the float gets to the top,
it shuts off the valve and stops

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the water.

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The average toilet uses about a
gallon and a half of water per

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flush, so flush considerately.

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For more information about
sewage, check out the science

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trek website.

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You'll find it at science trek
dot org