Field Notes

August 13, 2025

S2 E5 What Happens After I Flush? Wastewater Management with Tyler Hammerle

Read Time: 2 minutes

In this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast, we dive into a topic that often goes unnoticed—what happens after you flush the toilet? Tyler Hammerle, Project Manager at Wessler Engineering, breaks down the fascinating journey of wastewater, from your home to wastewater treatment facilities and beyond. With clarity and a touch of humor, Tyler explains how modern infrastructure protects both human health and the ecosystems we love, especially our lakes and streams.

Listeners will gain a new appreciation for the wastewater management systems working quietly beneath their feet—and the people who manage them. Learn how wastewater is treated, why septic systems matter, and how our everyday habits can either support or strain the health of local water bodies. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most important (and underappreciated) parts of modern human health practices and environmental stewardship.

Watch or Listen Today:

What Else is in My Water?

We know what happens when the water goes down the drain, but what’s coming out of the sink? Studies show that waters can have a concentration of PFAS. Find out what those are, how common they are, and how they impacts us.

PFAS in Kosciusko County