Shelter · 1 hour · Basic
Sanitation When Toilets Don't Flush
Contain waste, protect safe water and follow local emergency sanitation instructions when toilets stop working.
This is for educational purposes only. Not professional medical, electrical, or safety advice.
Warning
Cholera and dysentery spread fast when sanitation fails. Keep waste away from water sources.
- 01
Check the system
Use toilets only when authorities say the sewer or septic system is safe. Do not flush into a backed-up system. Use designated facilities or locally recommended temporary sanitation equipment.
- 02
Contain waste
Follow local instructions for bags, containers and absorbent materials. Keep waste sealed and away from children, animals, food and safe water. Do not add chemicals or mix cleaning products into waste containers.
- 03
Dispose through approved channels
Follow public-health collection and disposal instructions. Do not dump into waterways, spread urine in the garden or treat burial and home composting as universal household-waste solutions.
- 04
Handwashing station
Use a safe-water jug with a spigot, soap and catch basin. Wash at least 20 seconds after toilet use and before food handling. If washing is unavailable, sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol has limits on dirty hands.