Making a Backup Sanitation Plan
Possible scenario
A strong earthquake hits your area, breaking water pipes and paralyzing the infrastructure.
This could leave you without a working toilet for weeks or months. If the pipes break, your toilet may work for a short time, but depending on the situation, sewage backup could become a risk.
Do you have a plan?
No City Water
If the pipes break or the electricity goes out, do you have a sanitation plan? It's not something we think about or really want to think about, but the health risks of this possibility cannot be overstated. Ignore this and your family could get sick...or worse. It's important to make a plan should this happen to you. If it does, your efforts today will make you extremely grateful tomorrow.
Below are four steps to follow in making sure you are ready should your sanitation system go down: choosing an alternate sanitation method, securing all needed items, and learning safe handling and safe disposal of human waste.
No City Water
Three types of systems or methods can be used as a make-shift toilet: home toilet system, the bucket system, and the porta-potty system. Take a look at all three options below and decide which one will work best for you and your family. Having this ready to go in storage will make your life a lot easier should the plumbing system be disrupted for any substantial amount of time.
Home Toilet System
If the plumbing is not working, toilets can be repurposed as containment systems by using plastic liners. The "items needed" list assumes that you have two toilets in your home that are suitable to be used for this purpose. If you only have one, add one more bucket on to your shopping list. Another lid is optional but not necessary.
Items Needed
- Two 5-gallon buckets with lids
PROS
- This method is the most affordable solution of the three options.
- It's easy to set up.
CONS
- Requires an additional bucket if only one toilet is available.
- You will need to share this method with other family members. If total privacy is desired, consider expanding upon method #2.
Tip
Consider making an evacuation version of you sanitation kit using the 2 buckets. Add everything you would need to make your family comfortable.
Create your kit for storage
- Take one of the buckets and place all items inside. See "Additional Items" next.
- Include a printed list of instructions found below.
- Cover with lid and label "Sanitation Kit".
- Place your sanitation kit in storage, telling all family members where it is.
How to assemble
- Designate two non-functioning toilets in your home for waste containment—one for liquid waste and the other for solid waste.
- Empty the water from each toilet bowl and discard.
- Plug up the holes with a towel.
- Place a 13-gallon plastic liner inside each rim, using two liners for solid waste.
- Tape the sides of the liner to the toilet with duct tape.
- The two additional buckets will be used to transport liquid and solid waste outside. See below.
Tip
Consider making an evacuation version of your sanitation kit using the 2 buckets. Add everything you would need to make your family comfortable.
Bucket System
This is an easy option and is a good alternative if your home toilets are in disrepair. The "Items Needed" list is assuming that you are creating one system. If you'd like to get each member of the family their own, then buy accordingly.
Items Needed
- Four 5-gallon buckets
- 2 lids (not necessary to buy 4)
- 2 toilet seat covers made for 5-gallon buckets
- Seats can be ordered from Amazon.
PROS
- Enables each family member to have and oversee their own 2 bucket system, if desired.
CONS
- Costs more than method #1.
Tip
Consider making an evacuation version of your sanitation kit using the 2 buckets. Add everything you would need to make your family comfortable.
Create your kit for storage
- Take one of the buckets and place all items inside. See "Additional Items" next.
- Include a printed list of instructions found below.
- Cover with lid and label "Sanitation Kit".
- Place your sanitation kit in storage, telling all family members where it is.
How to assemble
- Take two buckets, one for liquid waste and one for solid waste.
- Place 13-gallon plastic liners in each, using two liners for the solid waste bucket.
- Attach two toilet seat covers to the 5-gallon buckets.
- The two additional buckets will be used to transport liquid and solid waste outside. See below.
Tip
Consider making an evacuation version of you sanitation kit using the 2 buckets. Add everything you would need to make your family comfortable.
Porta-Potty System
Porta-potties are well known to those who spend a lot of time camping outdoors. They come pre-built and are available in different design preferences.
Items Needed
- Two porta-potties
- Two 5-gallon buckets with lids
- Note: Buckets with lids may not be required if the porta-potty has an integrated waste tank or flushing system.
PROS
- If septic enabled, steps 3 & 4 are unnecessary.
CONS
- By far the priciest option.
Before you place in storage
- Figure out ahead of time how to use it.
- Gather and place all items needed with your porta-potties. See "Additional Items" next.
- Place your sanitation kit in storage, telling all family members where it is.
How to assemble
- Set up two porta-potties, one for liquid waste and one for solid waste.
- Place 13-gallon plastic liners in each, using two liners for the solid waste bucket.
- Two additional buckets will be used to transport liquid and solid waste outside, unless you purchase units that utilize a septic system.
- Follow manufacturer's directions.
Tip
Have this packed and ready to go so it can be taken with you should you need to evacuate and staying at a hotel or with family is not an option. Add everything you would need to make your family comfortable.
No City Water
No City Water
Using the buckets the right way
This is a simple system and not expensive to set up. It works off a NO MIX principle: liquid and solid waste must be collected, stored, and disposed of separately. This method is a proven principle of ecological sanitation. It reduces disease risks and makes the contents of each bucket easier to handle. If you are using the first method, the term "bucket" applies to the home toilet as well.
Liquid
- Option 1: Mix 3 parts water with 1 part liquid waste.
- Option 2: Add a liquid absorber after each use - use as directed.
- Tie the garbage bag liner shut when the bucket is not in use.
- When the liner is 1/3 to 1/2 full, tie it off and place it in the 3rd bucket for disposal (see "Safe Disposal").
- Replace with a new liner and repeat.
Solid
- Before each use, prepare a disinfectant by mixing 1 part bleach with 4 parts water. Do not pour bleach directly into the waste bucket.
- After use, add a fluid absorber, using as directed.
- Secure each bag with a twist tie and cover bucket when not in use.
- When the double liner is 1/3 full, tie it off and place it in the 3rd bucket for disposal (see "Safe Disposal").
- Replace with a new liner and repeat.
Loss of Running Water
Are city services running?
Your next steps depend on whether the city is still collecting trash. If they are, it's business as usual. If they aren't, this is when doing things the wrong way could affect the health of you and your family. Let's prepare for both situations.
If city services are running
Liquid Waste
- 3 to 1 water-to-urine mixture can be disposed of on grass in small amounts. Beware that excess nitrogen can damage plants.
- If you don't have any grass, then use a fluid absorber instead.
Solid & Fluid Absorbed Waste
- Line a large garbage can with a 33-gallon bag, heavy duty is best.
- Place solid waste here.
- Keep the lid tightly shut and the city will collect.
If city services are not running
The Cathole
- When services are down and no one is showing up, the disposal of waste becomes one's own responsibility.
- While officials generally advise against burying waste, in prolonged emergencies it may become necessary.
- There is a safe method of disposal known as a cathole. Correctly adhering to this disposal method ensures waste is buried at least 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet from water sources.
To learn how to create a cathole, watch this short video and download step-by-step instructions. Store these instructions with your sanitation supplies.