Emergency toilet during a sewage failure
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
During a sewage failure, alternative sanitation is necessary to prevent the spread of disease.
What to do
• Use a bucket with a well-fitting lid as an emergency toilet
• After each use, add a layer of sand, earth or cat litter to limit smell and bacteria
• Dig a pit at least 30 metres from water sources and homes
• Bury human waste — not close to open water
• Wash hands immediately after using the toilet
Do not do
• Do not flush the toilet during a sewage failure if this could flood the cellar
• Do not throw waste into the sewer or the canal
Warning signs
• Sewage water inside the home — leave the building and call the council
Get help if
• Sewage water is backing up into the home — City of Amsterdam 14020
Why this matters
Human waste contains dangerous pathogens. Proper disposal during failures prevents epidemics of cholera, typhoid and other diseases.
Source: WHO Emergency Sanitation Guidelines · reviewed 2025-01-01