Flushed with love? Or feeling like love stinks? Either way, celebrate Valentine’s Day with NYC Department of Environmental Protection and Open House New York on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Manhattan sewage pump station.

This facility is Manhattan’s first line of defense against all the things that should never be flushed down the toilet. The pump station’s first job is to screen out debris — from wet wipes to condoms to the occasional flushed goldfish. Once screened, the sewage is pumped into a surge tower and dropped deep underground to travel below the East River to treatment at the Newtown Creek Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility in Brooklyn.

Accessibility: The facility is not wheelchair accessible. Visitors will be standing and walking for the duration of the tour and climbing 5-6 flights of stairs. Not for the faint of heart!

Dress Code: This is a hard hat tour of an active industrial facility. Closed-toe shoes are required. Large bags and cameras are not allowed. Hard hats and vests will be provided on-site.

Waiver Required: A signed waiver is mandatory to enter the site. Attendees must be 18 years of age or older to attend. Please bring a valid photo ID.