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.