Interpret This

I went into a bathroom at the Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum (think fresh ramen noodles cooked in the different styles from all over Japan) and this is what I saw:
On closer inspection, what do you think this means?
I think it means that you have to use the handle to flush the toilet, that the automatic flushing system is not working.
On our local Keikyu line, sometimes I see this sign, which I'm still not sure what it truly means.