Water and wastewater in an earthquake aftermath or emergency

Note: Information and some info graphics credited to Wellington Regional Emergency Management - Home Read;

Some infographics credited to Te Whatu Ora.

Water and wastewater

In the event of the AF8 earthquake, our communities should be prepared for disruptions to drinking water and wastewater services. Ground movement can severely damage water and wastewater infrastructure, and the repairs to these systems will take time.

Damage will likely include broken water mains, resulting in no water supply or untreated/contaminated water. Even if water flows from your taps, it should be assumed that it’s contaminated until Civil Defence/CODC advises otherwise.

No running water means no flushing toilets. After an earthquake, even if you do have running water, do not flush your toilet. Broken pipes may mean it overflows into your or the neighbouring backyard. Damage to our wastewater treatment plants may result in the inability to treat the waste.

It is recommended that our communities prepare for a minimum of seven days without support but given the geographical expanse of Central Otago and potential damage to our roading network, 10-14 days is recommended.

Water Storage

• It is recommended that as a minimum, you should have 3 litres per person, per day, for seven days (21 litres each). This minimum amount is only enough for drinking, cooking and very basic hygiene.
• 20 litres of water per person, per day, will be enough water for drinking, cooking, a sponge bath, washing dishes, brushing teeth, handwashing clothes, first aid and hygiene and your pets.
• Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more.
• Be sure to include drinking and clean-up water for your pets. The amount needed will depend on their sizes and the conditions. Remember that pets often drink more water than usual when under stress.

Water storage options:

Plastic drink bottles

• Clean and re-use plastic drink bottles. 
• Store in a cool, dark place.
• Avoid direct sunlight.
• Do not use milk bottles - any milk residue will contaminate the water.
• You can fill clean plastic ice cream containers or bottles with water, cover, label and keep in the freezer. These can help keep food cool if the power is off and can also be used for drinking when thawed.

10 – 20 litre containers

• These containers are available from several locations including hardware and outdoor stores.
• Store in a cool, dark place.
• Avoid direct sunlight.

Larger tanks

Available directly from manufacturers and hardware stores. Water storage tanks come in a variety of shapes and sizes. We recommend you check with council to see if there are any planning requirements you need to consider before installing a large water tank.

Other

• Your hot water cylinder and toilet cistern are valuable sources of water. Check that your hot water cylinder and header tank are well secured.
• The toilet cistern is only safe to use if no chemical toilet cleaner is present.
• Boil water for one minute before drinking.

Ensuring your stored water is safe

1. Thoroughly clean your containers with hot water (not boiling, as this will destroy the bottle).
2. Fill your containers (see below) with cold tap water until it overflows.
3. Add a small amount of bleach to help stop bacteria. Add half a teaspoon (2.5ml) of plain, unscented household bleach to 10 litres of water (a household bucket), or five drops to 1 litre of water.
   • *Do not use Janola as it contains detergents which makes it unsuitable for treating drinking water.
4. Write the date that you filled your containers on each one to help you remember when to check and replace the water.
5. Place the lid on tightly and store in a cool, dark place. Avoid direct sunlight.
6. Clean and refill the bottles every 12 months.

Water Purification

If you have water but are unsure if it is safe to drink, boiling or treating the water with bleach will provide safe disinfection. Remember that after a large event, it should be assumed that the water is contaminated until advised otherwise by Civil Defence/CODC.

1. Boiling: Bring the water to a full rolling boil, let it boil for 1 minute and let it cool before using.
2. Chemical Treatment: Use water purification tablets or household bleach and let it sit for 30 minutes.

How much bleach to add to stored water

• Add bleach and stand for 30 minutes before drinking.
• Use plain, unscented household bleach.
• Do not use Janola as it has detergents that makes it unsuitable for treating drinking water.

Water (Litres): Amount of unscented household bleach (ml)

1 litre : 5 drops (0.25ml)
2 litres : 10 drops (0.5ml)
3 litres : 15 drops (0.75ml)
4 litres : 20 drops (1ml)
5 litres : ¼ teaspoon (1.25ml)
10 litres : ½ teaspoon (2.5ml)
20 litres: 1 teaspoon (5ml)
50 litres: 2 ½ teaspoons (12.5ml)
100 litres: 5 teaspoons (25ml)
200 litres: 10 teaspoons (50ml)

Emergency-Water-Flowchart.pdf

Making-your-water-safe-in-an-emergency.pdf

Water-storage-infographic.jpeg (725×533)

Wastewater - Information credited toWellington Regional Emergency Management - Emergency toilets

 You may not be able to use your normal toilet for some time after a major earthquake, so you will need to think about what you can use for an emergency toilet.

Dont-Flush-Infographic-May-2023.pdf

Option 1. Build a long drop

You will need:

• Backyard or space on your property to dig a large hole
• Tools to dig a hole, such as a spade
• Soil or other fill such as straw, sawdust, or shredded newspaper

How to make a long drop:

Dig a hole up to one metre deep and 30 – 40cm wide. Make sure the hole is away from any water source, above the groundwater table and far away from any vegetable gardens.
After each use, cover your poo and wee with soil or other mulch. Keep the hole covered after each time you use it, for hygiene and safety reasons. You can do this by placing a piece of board or heavy-duty cardboard over the hole, this will discourage pests or pets from getting into the toilet.

When your poo and pee get to 30cm below the surface - fill in the hole. Cover the hole with soil and dig yourself a new long–drop! This hole can also be used to hold solid waste from a bucket toilet.

Option 2. Make an emergency bucket toilet

You will need:

• Two sturdy 15 – 20 litre buckets with lids
• Permanent marker pen (to label buckets)
• Dry mulch such as sawdust, dry leaves and soil or shredded newspaper
• Water – 2 litres of water per person per day

How to make a bucket toilet:

Set your two buckets in your normal toilet, bathroom or laundry. With a permanent marker pen write "wee" on bucket 1 and "poo" on bucket 2. It is important that you try to keep your wees separate from your poo as it will help keep the smell down and make it safer.

Bucket 1 (wee):

• Add 2-3cms of water to the bottom of your clean and empty bucket. Use bucket 1 for wee. This bucket should be for wee only (add toilet paper to bucket 2).
• Once you have finished close the lid and wash your hands!

Disposing your wee:

• At the end of each day, dilute your wee with additional water and pour it into a disused area of your garden or, if you don't have a garden, another green space.

Bucket 2 (poo):

If you have a garden or green space where you can dig a 50cm hole:

• Create a nest at the bottom of your clean and empty bucket. Use bucket 2 for poos and toilet paper only. You do not need to line the bucket with a bag.
• When you have finished, add a large cup or handful of dry mulch (sawdust, straw, dry leaves, soil, or shredded newspaper) to cover your poo. Then close the lid and wash your hands!
• Try to keep the poo bucket as dry as possible. Sometimes it's hard to poo without wee coming out, but if you can keep them separate, then this will keep the smell down and make it safer to handle. Use the sawdust, straw, or shredded newspaper to absorb any spills.

If you do not have a garden or green space:

• Line your poo bucket with a sturdy bin liner/bag.
• When you have finished, add a large cup or handful of dry mulch (sawdust, straw, dry leaves, soil, or shredded newspaper) to cover your poo. Then close the lid and wash your hands!
• Try to keep the poo bucket as dry as possible. Sometimes it's hard to poo without wee coming out, but if you can keep them separate, then this will keep the smell down and make it safer to handle. Use the sawdust, straw, or shredded newspaper to absorb any spills.

Disposing your poo:

Bucket 2 will need to be emptied at least every three days.

• If you have a garden or green space: Empty into a 50cm hole in the ground.
• If you do not have a garden or green space: put your poo bag into a large storage bin, e.g. if you have a wheelie bin or other lidded bin.
• If you live in an apartment with a communal rubbish skip bin: put your poo bag in there.

Keep bucket contents separate from other household waste and cover them with extra mulch, straw, or soil.
Why separate poo and wee?

• Keeping poo and wee separate reduces the smell. It is also safer, as wee contains far fewer germs than poo.
• By keeping wee and poo separate, you will find that your bucket toilet is easier to empty and more hygienic.
• During a disaster, it is very important to minimise the spread of diseases. Human poo contains a lot of dangerous germs and so a hygienic system for your emergency toilet will help your household avoid getting sick.

Accessible Options for those with accessibility needs or limited mobility

This option should only be used for those with accessibility needs or limited mobility.

We understand that for some of our whānau, the long drop or two-bucket emergency toilet is just not feasible. There are a couple of alternate options below for this whānau:

1. Take a chair, make a hole in the base and put it over a long-drop or bucket toilet.

2. Look into the option of a commode. This can sit over a bucket or long-drop, or, if it has a pail, place a sturdy plastic bag or bin liner inside.

3. The last resort option is to place a large, sturdy bin liner/plastic bag inside your toilet bowl. The bag needs to be big enough to cover the whole bowl to avoid spillage. Place some dry material in the bag such as sawdust, straw, dry leaves and soil, or shredded newspaper, to soak up as much wee as possible. Dispose of your bag into an outdoor rubbish bin. Make sure you clean your hands thoroughly.

Safe handling tips for using an emergency toilet

• After using the toilet wash your hands thoroughly using soap and water, or hand sanitiser. Dry your hands thoroughly.
• If possible, use gloves when emptying buckets, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly using soap and water, or hand sanitiser. Dry your hands thoroughly.
• Rinse and clean the poo bucket after emptying.
• Disinfect with a dilute bleach solution if necessary.
• Make sure you are emptying and cleaning your buckets regularly.
• Keep the toilet and waste material well separated from any food preparation areas.
• If someone does get sick (e.g., vomiting or diarrhoea), try and use another bucket. Take extra care when emptying the bucket and disinfect with a dilute bleach solution. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

For more information on emergency situations see also the Otago Emergency Management website: Home | Otago CDEM Group, specifically on AF8: Earthquakes | Home