You flush your toilet, pour something down a sink, or a do a load of laundry, but have you ever wondered what happens to all that dirty water after it leaves your home?

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) has the answers in its newly released children’s storybook and accompanying animation titled “Where Does IT Go?”. The book is a great read for students enrolled in grades four and up as it teaches them about the wastewater treatment process while introducing them to careers in the water sector. An enriching STEM activities workbook located at the end of the story is a bonus feature that offers fun exercises and activities that meet common core learning standards.

“Where Does IT Go?” introduces the MWRD’s Water Science Explorers, a cast of fictional characters, Yadira, Paul, and Jessica. These students are curious and wonder what happens when they flush the toilet. In the story they take a special mission to uncover the mystery of where pee, poop, and toilet paper go.

“We created this story to empower students with the understanding of what happens when they flush or use any water in their homes,” said Vice President Barbara McGowan. “This storybook is designed to be educational, fun and spark an interest in careers in water.”

“Where Does IT Go?” is available in English, Polish, Spanish and Chinese and can be downloaded for free at our website. Teachers, municipalities, and organizations operating within the MWRD Cook County service area may request a limited supply of printed books by emailing communityeducation@mwrd.org. Virtual presentations for groups of 25 or more are also available. The animation is available on the website or the MWRD’s YouTube page.

“We are happy to offer this comprehensive learning experience for students,” said President Kari K. Steele. “The book has vibrant and colorful illustrations, real life images of the MWRD’s wastewater treatment process, facilities, and equipment, and highlights careers in water. The animation was created in-house and is an amazing accompaniment to the storybook.”

For more information or to learn about other MWRD K-12 learning materials, visit our website.
Watch the video.

Where does it go (3).pdf