Hygiene and Toilets Without Running Water

Keeping clean is what stops an inconvenience from turning into illness.

Hands

• Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet and before eating.
• Make a station from a large jug with a spigot and a bucket underneath, as CDC suggests.
• With no water, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. It works less well on visibly dirty or greasy hands.

Toilets when you cannot flush

From Washington State’s Department of Health, one of the clearest official guides I could find. I did not find a Canadian federal page that covers this.

Bag in the toilet

1. Turn the toilet’s water valve off, and flush the bowl empty.
2. Line the bowl under the seat with one heavy garbage bag inside another.
3. Add cat litter, peat moss or another absorbent to the inner bag.
4. When full, tie off the inner bag, replace it and add fresh absorbent.

Bucket: use a 5-gallon (19 L) bucket and set it up the same way.

Storing used bags: keep them away from children, pets and wildlife, for example in a garbage can in the garage. Ask your local authority how to dispose of them.

No toilet at all for a day or two: a cat hole at least 6 inches (15 cm) deep, and at least 100 feet (30 m) from wells, homes and open water.

If you have a septic system or sewer damage, ask your local health authority.

Washing and teeth

• Use only clean water to brush your teeth.
• Follow local guidance on bathing. Do not bathe in water that may contain sewage or chemicals.
• Keep wounds clean and covered. Avoid contact with floodwater.

Dishes and surfaces

• FDA gives 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of 5.25% unscented bleach per gallon (3.8 L) of water as a sanitizer: soak dishes for 15 minutes and let them air-dry.
• Health Canada’s boil-water guidance gives 20 mL of unscented bleach in 10 L (about 2.6 gallons) of water, with a 1-minute soak.
• Health Canada’s emergency page gives 5 mL (1 teaspoon) of bleach in 750 mL (3 cups) of water for cleaning surfaces.
• Paper plates save water.

Diapers and periods

Wash hands well after diaper changes. Keep extra diapers, wipes and menstrual products in your supply.