Have you ever wondered what happens when you flush your toilet? Yeah, we all do take it for granted and never really bother about how it works. Concerning Reality released a video where the YouTube channel clearly explains how a typical sewer system works. Did you know that gravity is the reason behind how your sewer system works?
The principle of physics that the sewer system relies on is gravity. It is this simple principle that helps your waste to go from the ceramic bowl in your bathroom to the local waste treatment plant. Speaking of sewer systems, be thankful for the modern infrastructure that offers you this sewer system. We say that because before this happened; cities usually had open sewers. As you can imagine, the situation was not only aesthetically displeasing but also quite stinky. Piped sewer systems put an end to such environments.
Every time you use your sink, toilet, or shower; the water is flushed into the wastewater system. It should be noted that it is imperative for you to take special care with wastes coming from the toilets. That is because our fecal matter is comprised of bacteria that can be quite deadly apart from the fact that it stinks.
The video that is featured in this post will take you on the journey of how your waste from the flush arrives at the waste treatment facility. In an ideally designed sewer system, the pipes that contain wastewater rely on gravity for pushing the wastewater to the waste center. Pipes protruding from each house or building is connected to a bigger pipe that runs alongside a road. All of these pipes are placed in a manner that helps the gravity to move the waste material from the source to the waste treatment plant.
These pipes measure in at between 3 to 5 feet in diameter. The main sewage line also features vertical pipes with manhole covers for allowing access to the pipe if need be. These vertical pipes are placed at equal intervals. These main sewer lines eventually meet bigger pipes as they make their way to the treatment center. The treatment plants are usually situated in areas that are low-lying thus facilitating the use of gravity.
Although, this is not practical for every urban area. What happens for such areas? Pressured sewerage pipes are used for such areas to propel the waste towards the treatment facility. Check out the video from Concerning Reality below and let us know what you think of it!
