How to set up an emergency toilet when the water stops

The short answer

When the water stops or the sewer is not working, a normal toilet can become unsafe or unusable. The fix is a simple bucket toilet: a sturdy container, strong bags, and something to soak up liquid and control smell. King County Public Health describes this method for extreme emergencies when sewage systems are not working.

When you need one

Use an emergency toilet if:

• the water is off and you have no water to flush
• the sewer is backed up or officials ask you not to flush
• a storm, flood, or earthquake has damaged sewer lines
• your home is on a well and the pump has lost power

If water is off but the sewer is working, a bucket of water poured into the bowl can flush it. Save drinking water for drinking. Use tub water or rain water for flushing. See how much water to store.

What you need

• a bucket with a snap-on seat, or a toilet-bowl setup
• heavy-duty bags
• absorbent material
• toilet paper
• soap, water, or hand sanitizer
• wipes
• a lidded bin for used bags

A purpose-made bucket toilet is steadier and more comfortable than a bare pail.

Bags made for emergency toilets often contain a gel that turns liquid into a solid and reduces smell.

Ready.gov lists damp wipes, trash liners, and fasteners for personal hygiene in a basic kit, so these belong in even the smallest emergency stash.

Step by step: the bucket toilet

1. Choose a spot. Pick a bathroom, a corner of a room, or a closet. Keep it away from food preparation and eating areas, as King County advises. Use a door or curtain for privacy.
2. Line the container. King County suggests lining a toilet bowl or a 5-gallon pail with two heavy-duty plastic garbage bags. The second bag is a back-up in case of leaks.
3. Add absorbent. Put cat litter, fireplace ashes, or sawdust in the bottom of the bags. Absorbent gel powder works too.
4. Use it. Sit as usual. Put toilet paper in the bag, unless local advice says otherwise.
5. Cover after use. Add a scoop of litter or powder, then close the lid. This helps with smell and flies.
6. Tie off each day. At the end of each day, King County says to tie the bags tightly and move them to a protected place such as a garage, basement, or outbuilding until you can dispose of them safely.
7. Keep it closed. Keep lids and doors shut when not in use to keep out insects and animals.
8. Supervise small children. King County says to always supervise small children who use the toilet.

The two-bucket method

If you have more than one bucket, many local health agencies suggest a two-bucket system. One bucket holds the liquid waste and the other the solids, which keeps the solids drier and reduces smell. Oregon's Washington County, for example, recommends two 5-gallon buckets for a twin-bucket system. If you only have one bucket, the bag method above is fine.

A simple version:

• Bucket 1: urine only. Empty it down the toilet if the sewer works, or bury it away from water, as local rules allow.
• Bucket 2: solid waste, in a lined bucket with absorbent.

Ask your local health department which method it prefers.

Hygiene

Handwashing is the most important step for preventing illness.

• Set up a handwashing spot next to the toilet. King County suggests soap, water, and paper towels.
• Wash for at least 20 seconds, then dry.
• If no water is available, use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol, but wash with soap and water as soon as you can.
• Keep a bottle of water and a bar of soap beside the bucket.
• Use wipes for the body, and put them in the bag, not down a drain.

Clean the seat with a disinfectant wipe daily. Keep any waste bags away from children, pets, food, and water.

Disposal

Disposal is the hardest part, and it depends on where you live.

• Sewer or septic: King County says you can put waste into a properly working public sewer or septic system. Pour liquids into a working toilet. Do not do this if the sewer is down.
• Burying: King County says you can bury waste on your own property. Place it at least 100 feet from lakes, rivers, streams, and any drinking water source, and 100 feet from your home and any well.
• Garbage: During a declared emergency, King County says bags may go in your regular garbage, but only if a public announcement allows it.

Listen to local officials, the radio, or your city or county website. Rules differ between places, so follow your local public health agency's advice. We have cited King County Public Health as an example, and your own area may differ.

Stocking up

As a rough rule of thumb of our own, plan on about one bag per person per day, then add more for longer outages. A family of four planning for two weeks needs a good stack of liners and absorbent. Keep the supplies in one tote with a roll of toilet paper, wipes, and a small bottle of sanitiser.

Next steps

• Read how much water to store so you have water for hygiene.
• Learn how to make water safe to drink.
• Follow the 72-hour blackout plan.
• See the Blackout Kit.