Some emergency situations simply can’t be overcome without a good chemical toilet. When you’re dealing with a SHTF emergency (literally!), you can’t leave the house and the sewer becomes unusable, you have to consider all aspects of how to manage everyday aspects – including going to the toilet. Chemical toilets are an excellent choice for managing waste efficiently and preventing contamination.
| Best Chemical Toilets | Details |
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Camco Standard Portable Travel Toilet
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Thetford 92360 Porta Potti 550E Curve Portable Toilet
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SereneLife Outdoor Portable Toilet
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Best Choice Products Portable Toilet
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Sanitation Equipment Visa Potty
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PARTYSAVING New Portable Toilet Potty
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Palm Springs Portable Toilet
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Thetford 92850 Porta Potti 320P Portable Toilet
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Flexzion Portable Toilet
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Coleman Portable Flush Toilet
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An Overview of How a Chemical Toilet Really Works
Chemical toilets use a special chemically treated reservoir to treat the waste, so that it will no longer be as harmful as it normally would. The chemicals it uses are able to reduce odor and at least partially disinfect the waste for safe disposal. Naturally, a better quality (and sometimes more expensive) chemically treated reservoir will ensure better performance.
Disinfectant agents are introduced through a sliding door that separates the toilet seat from the wastewater reservoir located underneath. When it comes to most designs, you just have to pull a simple “T” handle to access the door and add the disinfectant.
Most chemical toilets use dry holding tank cleaner and deodorant products that are also used for larger RV/marine systems. Other chemical toilet setups can also use liquid disinfectant, which is capable of liquefying waste, breaking down tissue and keeping the tank clean longer.
Some chemical toilets are also designed to recirculate the water and chemicals. These are more effective, since you don’t always have to top off the water, and there is far less waste to dispose of on a regular basis.
Check out the Best Portable Toilets here
How to Safely Dispose of the Waste
When buying a chemical toilet for the home, one of the first things you have to think of is how to dispose of the waste as safely and efficiently as possible. To do this, you can access a local septic tank, either in your basement or outside, and pour the contents of the reservoir into the septic tank’s pump-out port.
If you don’t have access to a septic tank, it was buried under the snow, or it was damaged, then you can also empty the contents of the reservoir into a home indoor toilet.
Be sure to check whether there are any legal issues tied to emptying the contents of your chemical toilet’s reservoir into the septic tank belonging to a local residential area before proceeding.
The Many Potential Benefits of Chemical Toilets
While chemical toilets aren’t always needed long term, they can be great when you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere, or when you’re dealing with a natural catastrophe or an emergency situation:
- Chemical toilets are portable and easy to carry.
- They can be used safely when the local sewer can’t be relied upon.
- They reduce the chance of infection or contamination with parasites like Giardia.
- The toilets can also be used effectively when your plumbing system doesn’t work properly. They liquefy the waste, so it won’t clog the waste pipes.
While a chemical toilet for the home isn’t necessarily a huge investment, it can be an extremely important one particularly for SHTF situations, and by thinking ahead with regards to sanitation needs during an emergency situation, it may well be the most prudent investment you make!