Imagine living in a
modern city that has gone a week without trash removal services,
electrical power, water and sewer systems. Now imagine it after 2
months. At some point it reaches the tipping point where living
condition are no longer sustainable. Before that point, basic
human nature and food riots can turn the city into a smoldering
heap filled with sick, dead and dying people. Rats and other
vermin will multiply rapidly, social services will be overwhelmed.
Food will no longer be distributed due to crazies shooting anything and
anybody that moves. Not pleasant, but it is a macro example of the
micro situation in your living shelter if you don't
implement a sanitation plan for human and non-human waste disposal.
Survival sanitation should be a prime concern.
GARBAGE & TRASH
Buildup of trash and
garbage can quickly become a significant fire and health hazard. For
short-term situations, simply bagging trash & garbage may be your only
solution. Be sure to segregate wet and dry trash. If water
supply is not a problem, rinse all empty food containers to prevent
insect and rodent infestation. Flatten
them to reduce trash volume.
HUMAN WASTE
Exposed human waste is is an epidemic
waiting to happen. Extreme care must be taken to prevent disease. Hand sanitation is a must.
Septic Tank
If your home is connected to a septic tank,
your human waste problems are no different than they are today as long
as you have water for flushing and chemically maintain your septic
system. Proper septic tank maintenance is a simple matter of
flushing down a small amount of commercially available dried active
bacteria every month. A septic tank
system is not simply a holding tank. It is a natural process
system that digests human waste. Harsh cleaning compounds,
petroleum based liquids, paint and other material can halt the digestion
process resulting in a backed up and useless septic system. Properly
maintained, your system can work for 10 years or more before it
needs pumping.
Sewer Systems
Sewer systems from buildings are generally gravity drain/water
flush system. However at some point electrical pumps are required
to pump the waste from holding tanks to waste treatment facilities.
When the electrical power grid goes down, the backup electrical
generators at waste plants will not run forever. Their supply of
fuel will run out. After that, the sewer systems will backup into
your home.
Other Sanitation Concerns
Your Sanitation Plan should also have options and alternatives for personal
washing, clothes washing, and disinfection.
Next Your
Travel Plan
See the ADVANCED
Area for Specific Plans
