Sanitation in the City in a TEOTWAWKI Scenario

Trixters_muse · #1 08/09/12, 10:09 AM

Cabin Fever brought up a good point in the City Survival thread so to avoid derailing an already excellent topic I would like some input on CF's point as I am one of those city dwellers.

If you end up in the city (apartment or neighborhood) and there is some type of circumstance that has disrupted trash pick up, water and sewage service and there is a pest and vermin problem what measures would you take to prevent illness and infestation? What can you prep now? What can you do now to help with any future issues?

For myself, we already have pest control products, traps, and grow herbs that are natural bug repellents. We have bleach and pool chlorine stocked, lime and a place out back to bury waste. I have been reading about humanure but have not ever reached that point and hope not to!

As for house hold trash I think most everything can be reused, composted or burned so that is my plan for that.

Bluesgal · #2 08/09/12, 10:27 AM

Garbage strikes occured when I lived in NYC. They are not fun. the bags pile up on the sidewalk, everything stinks and the rats have a field day. Burning trash is not an option, incinerators were dismantled in NYC in the early 90's, burning anywhere else well the risks outwegh the usefullness.

In those situations, basic sanitary measures are key. As in

Wash hands often and before touching any food
Sanitize by any means everything and often

Bleach and waterless hand sanitzer are your best friends.

Sourdough · #3 08/09/12, 11:50 AM

And what do you do with 43,876 human bodies per Day, just drag them to the street for the dogs to eat..........?????

Sourdough · #4 08/09/12, 11:53 AM

What if the whole cities water supply has been poisoned.

emdeengee · #5 08/09/12, 01:08 PM

If you want to find out what life is like without garbage control and sewers then I suggest watching "Trashopolis" on the History Channel. This is the story of garbage in large cities around the world. One city's story per episode. From ancient to modern times. You would think it would be boring but it is wonderful history and archeaology.

emdeengee · #6 08/09/12, 01:12 PM

I mentioned this once before but I think it bears repeating.

Part of your emergency supplies should include a bug hat/veil, gloves and bug clothing if possible. In a serious situation with many bodies, no garbage pickup and broken sanitation the flies will be something that you cannot even imagine. When a fly lands on your mouth or hands (or your food) you will not even WANT to imagine where it has just been and what bacteria it could be carrying attached to all those fine hairs on its legs..

Darren · #7 08/09/12, 01:17 PM

Sewage is still a gravity operation as long as you have water. Folks that live in low areas subject to sewage backups without the electricity needed to pump waste uphill won't live there long.

Those who live in large cities that depend on the local neighborhood markets for frequent food purchases will have the most immediate problems. Some apartment dwellers may not have the storage space to prep.

Once the power fails and the stored water is gone, water will be a valuable commodity. To the extent the gravity operated reservoir system in NYC continues to operate, water may still be available at or near street level.

Forerunner · #8 08/09/12, 04:37 PM

Sanitation and contamination are both all about PPM.

The best way to control that on the macro scale will always be to remove yourself from the concentration points.

Trixters_muse · #9 08/10/12, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emdeengee

If you want to find out what life is like without garbage control and sewers then I suggest watching "Trashopolis" on the History Channel. This is the story of garbage in large cities around the world. One city's story per episode. From ancient to modern times. You would think it would be boring but it is wonderful history and archeaology.

Sounds very interesting but I don't have cable so I would have to try and catch it at a friends house or find it online.

Thanks!

Trixters_muse · #10 08/10/12, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emdeengee

I mentioned this once before but I think it bears repeating.

Part of your emergency supplies should include a bug hat/veil, gloves and bug clothing if possible. In a serious situation with many bodies, no garbage pickup and broken sanitation the flies will be something that you cannot even imagine. When a fly lands on your mouth or hands (or your food) you will not even WANT to imagine where it has just been and what bacteria it could be carrying attached to all those fine hairs on its legs..

I live in Florida so we definitely have all of that including several Mosquito nets. Flies and mosquitoes are bad enough here now, I can't imagine what it would be like if a worse case scenario presented it's self.

Usingmyrights · #11 08/10/12, 09:33 AM

Trixters - I'm sure you're aware of beauty berry, but if not, its an great natural mosquito repellent and grows wild here in FL.

hsmom2four · #12 08/10/12, 12:10 PM

I think for me the hardest part would be that I would take the time to compost, recycle, reuse and burn any other trash but the neighbors, on the other hand, would probably just pile theirs up outside so my efforts would be all for nothing. My whole area has septic tanks so sewage shouldn't be a problem.

Maybe a community burn pile could work--perhaps in one of the empty retention ponds.