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.
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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="" />