EP - Emergency Sanitation

EMERGENCY SANITATION

After a major disaster, if water and sewage lines have been disrupted you may need to improvise emergency sanitation facilities.

Supplies

Always have basic sanitation supplies on hand

• Medium-sized plastic bucket with tight lid

• Household chlorine bleach

• Toilet paper

• Plastic garbage bags and ties (heavy duty)

• Soap, liquid detergent

• Towelettes

Sanitation

Build a makeshift toilet

• If sewage lines are broken but the toilet bowl is usable, place a garbage bag
              inside the bowl.

• If the toilet is completely backed up, make your own.

• Line a medium sized bucket with a garbage bag.

• Make a toilet seat out of two boards place parallel to each other across the 
              bucket. An old toilet seat will also work.

Sanitize Waste

• After each use, pour a disinfectant such as bleach into the container. This will 
              help avoid infection and stop the spread of disease.

• Cover the container tightly WHEN NOT IN USE.

Waste Disposal

• Bury garbage and human waste to avoid the spread of disease by rats and 
              insects.

• Dig a pit 2 to 3 feet deep and at least 50 feet downhill or away from any well, 
              spring or water supply.

• If the garbage cannot be buried immediately, strain any liquids into the 
              emergency toilet.

• Wrap the residue in several layers of newspapers and store it in a large can
              with a tight-fitting lid.

• Place the can outside until it can be buried.