Is there a street where the toilet flushes in opposite directions on either side of the street?

Question

If the toilet flushes in opposite directions depending on which hemisphere you are in, there should be a transition point somewhere. If there is, what happens to the water at that point?

Answer 1

On a trip to Kenya I noticed the water spinning different directions above / below the equator.  It was not a scientific study by any means but as an engineer I was interested - and smiled as I watched the water spin away... Maybe I should go back and test again now that I read about the Coriolis effect.

Answer 2

No, flushing water does NOT rotate in opposite directions in each hemisphere. It's an urban legend and is false. The myth is based on the Coriolis force, which affects large cyclones (e.g. hurricanes) but not something as small as a drain or toilet. See http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/... for details. I hope this helps!

Answer 3

Water tends to flow better when it is spinning out of a container.

Take a soda bottle.  Turn it upside down and make the water spin.  Have someone open the lid.  You will find that water will flow smother.

Answer 4

I imagine on the equator, the water can't make up its mind as to what direction it wants to spin.  Now that you mention it, I should have observed what it did when I went into the southern hemisphere.