Chart (IMAGE) Penn State Caption Wastewater treatment plants across the country were not designed to remove endocrine-disrupting compounds found in products like these. Therefore, the chemicals and their metabolites often persist in the wastewater effluent, which is typically discharged into rivers such as the Susquehanna. Credit Heather Gall, Penn State Usage Restrictions Non commercial use only License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.