PUSH THE HANDLE DOWN AND THE WATER COMES IN AND EXITS BUT ALL MATERIALS REMAIN. WE HAVE REPLACED THE STOPPER THAT CLOSES THE HOLE IN THE TANK AS WELL AS PUTTING A WIRE IN THE HOLES UNDER THE RIM TO CLEAN THEM OUT ( A GUY AT THE PLUMBING STORE SUGGESTED THIS). THE SEPTIC TANK HAS BEEN CLEANED AND THERE IS NOT A BLOCKAGE IN THE LINE AS MY HUSBAND HAS USED A PLUMBERS FRIEND (I THINK THAT IS THE NAME - THE WIRE WITH A HANDLE ON THE END TO TURN) IF ANY OF YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE THE ADVICE.