Container Based Emergency Sanitation: A Feasibility Report for Eugene, Oregon after the Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake
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Date
2018-06
Authors
Larson, Indigo Marie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
The Pacific Northwest is sitting on a ticking time bomb. Within the next century, there is a high likelihood that the Cascadia Subduction Zone will cause a devastating earthquake to ripple throughout the region. As result of this event, sewerage systems will be devastated as wastewater treatment plants and transportation pipes are destroyed in the shaking. For this project, I investigate the feasibility of using container based-sanitation (CBS) toilets in place of standard toilet and sewer systems in the event of major earthquakes, specifically in Eugene, Oregon. Container based sanitation refers to a system where toilets collect human excreta, are sealed and then are transported to a treatment facility. The toilets I focus on are urine diversion toilets, meaning that urine and feces are collected in separate sealable containers to be treated separately. Though these toilets are commonly implemented in communities where running water is not available, my findings indicate that these toilets have direct application in post-earthquake disaster scenarios. I focus my research on Eugene, Oregon after the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, where piped wastewater systems are projected to be unusable for upwards of a year. Looking at the use of container-based toilets in Japan, New Zealand and Haiti after large earthquakes, I will determine the feasibility of their application in Eugene. Understanding proper sanitation management techniques for use after natural disasters is crucial for successful public health, environmental protection and human dignity at a particularly vulnerable time. Container-based toilets have the potential to provide safe, easy and cost-effective sanitation management during disaster recovery periods after major earthquakes throughout the world.
Description
72 pages. Presented to the Department of Planning, Public Policy and Management and the Robert D. Clark Honors College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts June 2018
Keywords
Planning, Public Policy and Management, Post-earthquake sanitation management, Sanitation management, Container-based sanitation, Urine diversion, Emergency sanitation, Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake, Eugene (Or.)