Disposing of Sewage and Garbage
Damaged sewage systems are health hazards. It is important to get damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems into service as soon as possible.
If the area has been flooded, wait until the water level recedes before using the sewage system.
Trained personnel in local and state health departments will help with these problems. They will advise you about cleaning, repairing, and relocating installations, if necessary. Refer water purity, waste disposal, or pest control problems to th em.
In areas on public systems, keep abreast of reports from local officials.
Septic Tanks
Floods will not damage most septic tanks, since the tanks are below ground and completely covered. However, it must be cleaned if the tank has been damaged and is filled with silt and debris. Use a shovel or sewage pump to clean the tank.
Do not use the sewage system until water in the disposal field is lower than water level around the house.
If tile lines in the disposal field are filled with silt from floodwater, install a new set of lateral tile or perforated pipe in new trenches. Dig the new trenches alongside the old tile lines. Install the tile or pipe according to septic tank system installation specifications. The recommended normal grade is from 2 to 4 inches per 100 feet. Do not use the sewage system until new tiles are laid.
It may be necessary to wait a few days before returning a septic tank system to normal use. It will take some time for water to evaporate from saturated soil, so that the tile field will be able to function again. Septic tank starter materials, such as yeast enzymes or horse manure, are not needed.
Temporary Sanitation
Until sewage disposal systems are back in normal working order, use any large container with a tight-fitting lid for a temporary toilet. Line the container with a plastic bag. After each use, add chlorine bleach or disinfectant to stop odor and kil l germs.
A camper's chemical toilet is quite useful in disaster situations.
Garbage
Try to remove garbage as soon as possible to prevent rat infestations and other health problems. Some garbage can be burned. Bury garbage that will not burn. Dig a hole 4 or 5 feet deep, and cover garbage with at least 18 inches of soil.
Disposing of Animal Carcasses
Prompt and sanitary disposal of animal carcasses is necessary to protect the living animals from disease.
Search for dead animals as soon as possible. Carcasses may have some commercial value, so send them to a rendering plant if possible. If rendering is impractical, dispose of the dead animals on the premises. Use the following procedures:
- Immediately after finding a carcass, cover it with crude oil or kerosene to keep away dogs, buzzards, and vermin.
- Fat swine is the only animal carcass that burns satisfactorily. Used railroad ties can be used as starters.
- Bury other carcasses. Use power equipment if it is available. Choose a site where subsurface drainage will not reach water supplies. Bury the carcasses at least 3 to 4 feet deep, so predatory animals won't be able to reach them. If quicklime i s available, cover carcasses with it before back filling. Quicklime hastens decomposition.
By Extension Information and Publications Department
Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.
Information Sheet
1356
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S.
Department of Agriculture.
Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914.
Ronald
A. Brown, Director
Copyright by Mississippi
State University. All rights reserved.
This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational
purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University
Extension Service.
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