One often underestimated challenge during a disaster is the loss of indoor plumbing. If the water supply is cut off, toilets will not function normally (the toilet tank won’t refill and you cannot flush waste). More critically, if an earthquake has damaged the sewer pipes, attempting to use or flush the toilet can lead to sewage leakage or backflow into your home or your neighbors’ units. For these reasons, every household should be ready to use emergency toilets if needed, and avoid using the regular toilet until the system is confirmed safe.

Here’s how to prepare and cope:

• Keep emergency toilet kits on hand: These are portable plastic liners and absorbent agents that can be placed into your toilet bowl (or a sturdy bucket) to collect waste when flushing is not possible. The most convenient type fits right over your existing toilet. Stock enough for your family for at least several days.
• Do not flush until pipes are checked: After a major earthquake, do not flush any toilets until the building’s drainage system has been inspected for damage. During the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, for example, some lower-floor apartments were ruined because sewage from upper floors leaked through broken pipes when residents unknowingly kept flushing. It’s best to assume the sewer lines are broken until proven otherwise.
• Improvise if necessary: If you run out of commercial toilet kits, you can improvise a “toilet” by lining your toilet bowl with 2–3 heavy-duty plastic bags (one inside the other for safety). Place some absorbent material in the bottom (such as newspapers, old rags, pet litter, or even a disposable diaper) to soak up liquids. After use, add a bit of disinfectant or deodorizing agent (if available), then tie up the bags securely to contain the waste and odor.
• Control odors and hygiene: Keep a supply of deodorizer or bleach to sprinkle in used waste bags, and have a large garbage bin with a tight lid or other container to store these bags if they must be kept on your property for a time. Flies and pests are attracted to human waste, so sealing and treating the bags is important.
• Prepare a portable toilet for evacuation as well: If you might need to evacuate or if you are stuck away from home, carry a few foldable “pocket” toilet bags in your emergency go-bag. Public facilities could be unusable or overwhelmed, so having a personal option is invaluable.

Also, take advantage of any existing building features. Many condominium buildings have water storage tanks (cisterns) for emergency use. Find out if your building’s system allows you to access water from the cistern or pump room during an outage. Some condominiums have upgraded their cisterns with valves that automatically stop the outflow to preserve water for emergencies. Even without a cistern, you can store water in your bathtub – for example, after each use, consider leaving the bathwater in the tub instead of immediately draining it, so you have a supply of water for manual flushing or cleaning if the water supply fails. (Be aware, however, that if the sewer pipes are damaged, even pouring water to flush a toilet can cause leakage. Only attempt to flush manually if you are sure the drainage system is intact.)

Because waste will accumulate if toilets can’t be flushed, plan how to handle the disposal of used emergency toilet bags in your condo community. It’s wise to discuss and establish some rules with your building management or residents’ association ahead of time. For example, one possible plan is:

“Each household will keep their sealed waste bags on their balcony or other designated spot. When the ward office notifies that it will collect disaster waste, the condo management or disaster response team will announce a time and location (such as the building’s trash collection area) for everyone to bring out their stored waste bags for pickup.”

Whatever method you choose, coordination is key – you don’t want used toilet bags piling up indefinitely or being disposed of improperly.

Remember: in a disaster, you may not be able to use your toilet as usual. Preparing for this unpleasant reality in advance will protect your health and dignity when the time comes.