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School kids are being asked to harness the power of poo as part of a range of new try-at-home science experiments.
Thames Water has had to suspend its education programme at Longreach sewage treatment works in Dartford amid the coronavirus.
Thames Water show kids how to conduct a science experiment harnessing the power of poo
But that hasn't stopped the utility provider from singing the virtues of human waste.
The water supplier has shared social media videos of experiments, which use ingredients found around the kitchen and at home, to show kids how poo can be turned into power.
So-called poo power is a source of energy generated by biogas released during the treatment of wastewater and sewage.
Prior to the lockdown Thames Water operated an education programme spread across its sites and schools in London and Kent.
In the last five years around 100,000 school children have been given a insight into how the company deals with clean water and waste for its millions of customers.
It would use creative experiments to teach kids about the basics of essential water and wastewater supply.
Now the company is sharing the lessons, once used in the classroom, on its channels to help parents fill in the gaps at home, as well as making interactive resources available on its website to keep kids entertained.
Paul Hampton, Thames Water education manager, said: “These videos are a great way to show both little and older kids where water comes from and how sewage and wastewater from their homes is cleaned and recycled.
“With the school term restarting after the Easter holidays and the coronavirus lockdown set to continue, we wanted to share experiments which are easy to follow and demonstrate the vital work our engineers are doing to keep our taps flowing.”
One of the try-at-home experiments shows how items such as wet wipes, nappies and sanitary products don’t break down like toilet paper and cause blockages.
This can lead to flooding and pollution and also when combined with fats, oils and grease create giant masses known as fatbergs.
These "unflushable" menaces wreak havoc on the sewage system and as less waste can pass through the pipes lead to serious blockages and even floods.
The largest ever was discovered blocking a passage in Whitechapel in 2017 and garnered such media attention it was affectionately dubbed "Fatty McFatberg".
As part of its ongoing ‘Bin It – Don’t Block It’ campaign the utilities provider spends £18 million every year clearing 75,000 blockages from its sewers.
It has also produced a series of radio adverts reminding customers to be mindful of what they flush during the pandemic.
Paul added: “Wet wipes and things like kitchen roll can’t go down the loo and should be disposed of safely in the bin.
"This experiment can help children understand why the only things that should be flushed are the 3Ps: poo, pee and toilet paper.”
Other online experiments can be viewed on Thames Water’s YouTube page and social media channels with new videos weekly
More classroom resources for primary and secondary school pupils can be found here.
