Resource 9

Home drains ¹

The aim

To understand and distinguish between the requirements of the stormwater and sewerage systems.

The story

Sewage from our toilets, bathrooms, laundries and kitchens, if released untreated in our waterways, will create massive pollution. In our towns and cities, people's homes are connected to sewerage systems. This system is never mixed with the stormwater system. Sewage must be treated before it can be safely released.

Plumbers play an important part in making sure that stormwater and sewage are kept separate. Melbourne Water and the Master Plumbers' Association is running a Green Plumbers program to help plumbers use fittings that save water and to make sure that stormwater and sewage remain separate.

Find out more about how the stormwater system works by visiting: www.melbournewater.com.au/stormwater

Find out how the Green Plumbers program is improving waterways at: www.greenplumbers.com.au

The gear

The plot

If the toilet, bathroom, laundry or kitchen is connected to the stormwater system, then the waterways will be polluted. If the downpipes of the home are connected to the sewerage system then, after a heavy rain, the system can't cope with the extra flow of water, causing sewage to escape.

The challenge

Use straws to simulate pipes in the home illustrated on the student activity sheet. Connect the different items in the home to the correct system, that is, either the sewerage system or the stormwater system. Use different coloured straws to show the two different systems.

Following the completion of the student activity sheet, pose the following question:

Why is there an S-bend full of water in the toilet?
(Hint - it has to do with bad smells.)

If you can obtain some clear rubber tubing, make an S-bend and pour some water down.

Student activity sheet

Student activity sheet

¹ Based on an activity from: Bob Winters 2002, Drains to Our Waterways, Gould League and Melbourne Water.