One of the things I have planned for is a "short term use" toilet. If you think about what we will not be able to do without water, flushing a toilet to remove waste is right at the top of the list, drinking water aside. I am sure we would not want to use our drinking water for such a purpose.

Even with all the other comforts of home, having some sort of short terrm use facility planned for will be helpful perhaps to the point of life saving. I am sure all the nasty problems that can be created from human waste could fill a book.

So, what I have done is to pick up a few of the 5 gallon buckets that sheetrock compound comes in as well as a few "seat type" easily removable tops. I also fashioned a wood seat to serve the purpose as comfortably as possible. I have two to three gallons of chlorine bleach on hand and would use this as the "bowl liquid" until we are able to flush the toilets again. Splashes must be delt with quickly!

I am not a fan of the plastic bag type comode, as I think there are better ways to hold human composte until such time that it can be properly disposed of.

I am interested in hearing of any other alternatives to what I have set up, as advanced preparation for this type of a problem can be very key to our comfort and safety. I am a city dweller and using the backyard as a latrine just does not cut it.

I don’t think you would want to use bleach as your liquid! They sale stuff specifically made for that propose that I think you would have a lot better luck with!

I live in a house and have a big back yard. I also own shovels to dig and refill holes with. Problem solved. Not a big deal for someone that used to going to the restroom out in the woods. Now for those of you that live in apartments in high density urban areas.... well... good luck. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I agree, don't use bleach. :-)

We have a painted plywood box, top hinged, ordinary toilet seat and lid. Sized to lock a 5 gallon bucket in place and self-store additional plastic bags. It works very well and is more stable and "familiar" for kids.

I disagree with you about plastic bags for a number of reasons. If you pre-line the bucket with two kitchen garbage sacks, clean-out is trivial and you have an insect-proof container if you tie it off correctly. No harm in sticking it in a garbage can at the corner of your property, burying it as-is temporarily, etc. You would not believe how quickly a 5 gallon bucket fills... first rule is, if you pee standing up, go outside. Pre-lining the bucket with about 6 bags gives 3 "uses" with a double-bag confinement, which should carry you thru most outages OK. If you need more, fine; add later. But probably by then a tarp-rigged outhouse is going to sound pretty good.

I'm not comfortable about the bleach - what is its purpose? It will get used up in moments (oxidizing the organics) and then do nothing. It would be OK as a post-sewage-digestion disinfectant (many sewage treatment plants still use chlorine as the final treatment step, but's just polishing - a disinfection step at the end).

And there is the possibility that there will be in ammonia in the waste and we try to avoid making chloramines in our home...

The traditional vector control for latrines is lime - usually un-slaked lime (very caustic until it's slaked, then somewhat caustic). How it works isn't really important right now; use the latrine and sprinkle some lime dust over your job. Any odor reduction that may occur is gratuitous - the purpose is to reduce insect-borne disease.

Un slaked lime is very inexpensive in your local building supply store (will be with mason supplies or cement/concrete supplies). Best for storage will be in a sealed plastic bucket - a bag is far more than one would need, so share it with someone else if you like.

But personally, I wouldn't bother. You can get the "blue water" stuff but it needs to completely cover the waste pile in the bucket or it can't do its job (vector control again, plus some camoflauge for the odor). Just use the plastic bags and dispose / set out as needed. It's all short-term use anyway - long term means building a privy, which is simple enough.

HTH,

Tom

I have had a little experience with this on scout camping trips. It is a rather common camping problems. If you Google search for "camp toilets" you will find tons of products, but the bucket is about as good as any of the more expensive contraptions, plus the bucket is handy for other uses if you do not need it as a toilet.

I would suggest lining the bucket with a plastic bag. This will allow you to remove the bag after a few uses, twist tie and store or just twist tie and put in a new bag, leaving the tied bag in the bottom of the bucket. Camp bucket toilets can get rank in the great outdoors. Based on my indoor experience with baby diapers, I would think you would like to seal the waste materials rather quickly.

Bleach will work if that is what you have. There are chemicals made for use in camp toilets that thicken the liquids and do a better job of controling the smell. If you have to use what's on hand, Lime is good to help control odor. Kitty litter, potting soil or peat moss help absorb moisture and help some with odor.

I have been on caving trips where you had to pack out everything (EVERYTHING). We carried a bottle for urine and made poop packs. Start with two sealable plastic bags, cut sheets of newspaper to serve as a target and put some kitty litter in the bag. To use, make your deposit on the newspaper, sprinke a litte kitty litter on top, roll up and drop in plastic bag number one., seal and double bag. Pack it out.

If you go back a couple of hundred years, it was common to keep a chamber pot under the bed for night time use which you dumped into the street or gutter each morning. Oh, for the good old days!

During the Civil War, the inhabitants of New Orleans took a real dislike to Union General Butler. Chamber pots that featured his picture in the bottom were a popular item. Adding a photo of your choice to the bottom of you chamber bucket could be a nice touch.

While it won't fit in a bucket, this sure looks nice!

http://www.storburn.ca/company.html

I remember someone telling me they used to market a product called a "Destroylet" in the 70s to people living off the grid. Did a web search and found their new product, which they call a "Wilderness Comfort Station."

Ironically the name of the company is "Storburn." <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Whoa! I didn't know one could get a doctorate in this subject.
<img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I certainly appreciate the complete response you have supplied. I guess the plastic bag route is the most practical way to go, and avoiding the bleach makes sense as well.
Thanks for taking the time for such a thorough response.

http://www.shop.com/op/aprod-~truck+hitch+commode-p15145992
Plug it in your trailer hitch before you leave <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

But seriously camping stores sell all kinds of porta potties. We drive 250 miles each way to my parents house about once a month and with a pregnent wife I think I'm going to buy a porta potty and stick under the seat in my truck, will save us from stopping at every rest area and in between <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
There are so many its hard to choose, anyone have any suggestions (I don't think she will agree to the above while driving 65mph on the highway)

I do have one of those in the trunk of my car for just such a need.
If you are going down the highway and see a guy reading the newpaper while sitting in the trunk of his car on the side of the road, you will know what I am really up to.
<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Make life even easier, take her seat out and mount the porta-poty in it's place. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I could put one on each side, dad had an old car that the seat was a cement block so I guess it would work.
I managed to use a wendys cup once while driveing a manual transmission, with no curise control. I had just worked about 20 hours straight and drove a few more on the way home. I drove on for a while holding this cup wondering what to do with it and being very tired wasn't thinking when I thought it would be a good idea to roll down the window and try to dump it out. Of course the airflow blew it all back on me and all over the side of the truck. I looked really funny at the gas station when I finally found one to stop at using the window squeege on myself and the side of the truck.

Luggable Loo works for me use the blue packets and a trash bag.

Lee

P.S It can be bought 2 ways seat only or complete unit seat and bucket.

Shorts (the pants, not a shorty.......) and 1 liter wide mouth pepsi bottles work well together, and the twist on top is invaluble. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Gatorade bottles are a second choice.

I have found the openings of the Gatorade bottles to be too small.
<img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I crack myself up.

Aim better! :-) <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

One of the best smelling outhouses I have ever used was at a "primitive" BSA camp in Sequoia NP. Inside of the house (a one holer) was a bucked of firepit ash. After maiking your deposit you simply sprinkled some ash down the hole, and there was NO odor at all...

And...what did all the evacuees on the roads, from both Hurricanes, do when it was time to use the bathroom, taking into consideration modes of transportation, children, the elderly and everyone in between. I think the urinating part is a fairly simple fix as covered elsewhere, but the other part has got me curious (I have seen food, water, and other survival items covered, but not Toilet Facilities sitting in snarled traffic). Could be considered a Serious subject, depending on circumstances and those involved. Ideas??

I'd say it's about as serious as it gets, readyone.

Along these lines I keep a bag of dolomite lime and a bag of peat moss for yard work.

After leaving your deposit, you can sprinkle a handful of lime then a handful of crumbled up peat over the crap. Fresh as a flower! OK, not really, but much better than letting the stuff stink up the joint. Plus, you are begining the composting process for easier, safer disposal at a later time.

TR

Remember: The job isn't finished till the paperwork is done.

How about kitty litte? Someone mentioned that. Does it have the right characteristics for, um, solid matter? Liquid seems easier to deal with, at least for males; just use a gallon jug and keep it sealed shut when not in use.

I keep a hole in my backyard for disposal of.. uh.. used dog food. I've found that if I mix it about 50/50 with dried leaves, it composts very efficiently, with little smell.