Field Facilities for Human Waste Disposal

1. Latrines are so constructed to
   prevent the contamination of food and water. They are
   located at least 100 yards (90 meters) downwind
   (prevailing wind) and down gradient from the unit food
   service facility and at least 100 feet (30 meters)
   from any unit ground water source. They should never
   be placed above gradient of the unit food service
   facility. For further protection, latrines are not dug
   to the ground water level or in places where pit
   contents may drain into the water source. Usually they
   are built at least 30 yards (30 meters) from the
   border of the unit area but within a reasonable
   distance for easy access. A drainage ditch is dug
   around the edges of the latrine enclosure to keep out
   rainwater and other surface water. A handwashing
   device is installed outside each latrine enclosure;
   these devices should be easy to operate and kept full
   of water. Each individual must wash his hands after he
   uses the latrine.
2. When a latrine is filled to within 1 foot (30
   centimeters) of the ground surface or when it is to be
   abandoned, it is closed in the following manner. The
   pit is filled to the ground surface in 3-inch
   (8-centimeter) layers; each layer is compacted. This
   is to prevent fly pupae from hatching and gaining
   access to the open air. Dirt is then compacted over
   the pit to form a mound at least 1-foot
   (30-centimeters) high. A sign is posted with the date
   and the words �closed latrine,� if the tactical
   situation permits.

Chemical Latrines:

1. Chemical latrines are used in the
   field when federal, state, or local laws prohibit the
   use of other field latrines. These toilets are
   self-contained in that they have a holding tank with
   chemical additives to aid in decomposition of the
   waste and for odor control. The number of such
   facilities required is established by the surgeon or
   other medical authority in the AO.
2. The facility must be cleaned daily, and the
   contents pumped out for disposal in a conventional
   sanitary waste water system. The frequency of emptying
   is determined by the demand for use of the device

Improvised Devices:
When chemical latrines are
not available, the following improvised devices can be
used.

1. Burn-out Latrine. The burn-out latrine may
   be provided when the soil is hard, rocky, or frozen,
   making it difficult to dig a deep pit latrine. It is
   particularly suitable in areas with high water tables
   because digging a deep pit is impossible. The burn-out
   latrine is not used when regulations prohibit open
   fires or air pollution. Personnel should urinate in a
   urine disposal facility rather than the burn-out
   latrine, as more fuel is required to burn out the
   liquid.
   1. To construct a burn-out latrine, an oil drum is
      cut in half, and handles are welded to the sides of
      the half drum for easy carrying. A wooden seat with
      a fly–proof, self-closing
      lid is placed on top of the drum.
   2. The latrine is burned out daily by adding
      sufficient fuel to incinerate the fecal matter. A
      mixture of 1 quart (1 liter) of gasoline to 4 quarts
      (4 liters) of diesel oil is effective, but must be
      used with caution. If possible, have two sets of
      drums, one set for use while the other set is being
      burned clean. If the contents are not rendered dry
      and odorless by one burning, they should be burned
      again. Any remaining ash should be buried.

      
      DANGER Highly volatile fuel
      such as JP4 (jet propulsion fuel, grade 4) should
      not be used because of its explosive nature.
      
         
      

2. Straddle Trench Latrine. The trench is dug
   1-foot (30-centimeters) wide, 21/2-feet
   (75-centimeters) deep, and 4-feet (120-centimeters)
   long. Two feet (60 centimeters) of length are allowed
   per person. These trenches, which are constructed
   parallel to one another, are spaced at least 2-feet
   (60-centimeters) apart. Since there are no seats on
   this type of latrine, boards may be placed along both
   sides of the trench to provide sure footing. As the
   earth is removed, it is piled at one end of the
   trench, and a shovel or paddle is provided so that
   each soldier can promptly cover his excreta. Toilet
   paper is placed on suitable holders and protected from
   bad weather by a tin can or other covering. The
   straddle trench latrine is closed, using the same
   method described in a(2) above.
3. Deep Pit Latrine. The deep pit is used with
   the standard latrine box which is issued to or built
   by the unit. The two-seat box is 4-feet
   (120-centimeters) long, 21/2-feet (75-centimeters)
   wide at the base, and 18-inches (45-centimeters) high.
   A four-seat box 8-feet (240-centimeters) long,
   21/2-feet (75-centimeters) wide at the base, and
   18-inches (45-centimeters) high may be built by the
   unit using scrap lumber or other material.
   1. The pit is dug 2-feet (60-centimeters) wide and
      either 31/2- or 71/2-feet (105- or 225-centimeters)
      long, depending upon the size of the latrine box.
      This allows 3 inches (8 centimeters) of earth on
      each side of the pit to support the latrine box. The
      depth of the pit depends on the estimated length of
      time the latrine will be used. As a guide, a depth
      of 1 foot (30 centimeters) is allowed for each week
      of estimated use, plus 1 foot (30 centimeters) of
      depth for dirt cover. Generally, it is not desirable
      to dig the pit more than 6-feet (2-meters) deep
      because of the danger of the walls caving in. Rocks
      or high ground water levels may also limit the depth
      of the pit. In some soils, supports of planking or
      other material may be necessary to prevent the walls
      from caving in.
   2. To prevent fly breeding and to reduce odors, the
      latrine box must be kept clean, the lids closed, and
      all cracks sealed. If a fly problem exists, they may
      be controlled by the application of a residual
      pesticide. Control effects should be based upon fly
      surveys and pesticides applied in accordance with
      label directions. Pit contents should not be sprayed
      routinely since flies can develop resistance to
      pesticides if used over and over. The latrine boxes
      and seats are scrubbed daily with soap and water.
      Using lime in the pit or burning out the pit
      contents is not effective for fly or odor control;
      therefore, these methods are not recommended. The
      deep pit latrine is closed as described in a(2)
      above.
4. Mound Latrine.
   1. This latrine may be used when a high ground
      water level or a rock formation near the ground
      surface prevents digging a deep pit. A dirt mound
      makes it possible to build a deep pit and still not
      extend it into the ground water or rock.
   2. A mound of earth with a top at least 6-feet
      (2-meters) wide and 12-feet (4-meters) long is
      formed so that a four-seat latrine box may be placed
      on top of it. It is made high enough to meet the
      pit�s requirement for depth, allowing 1-foot
      (30-centimeters) from the base of the pit to the
      level of the ground water or rock level. The mound
      is formed in approximately 1 foot (30 centimeters)
      layers. The surface of each layer is compacted
      before adding the next layer. When the desired
      height is reached, the pit is then dug in the mound.
      Wood or other bracing may be needed to prevent the
      pit walls from caving in. An alternate method is to
      construct a latrine pit on top of the ground, using
      lumber, logs, corrugated sheet metal, or whatever
      other material is available; to pile dirt around it
      and up to the brim, thus creating the mound around
      the latrine pit. The exact size of the mound base
      depends upon the type of soil; it should be made
      large to avoid a steep slope. It may be necessary to
      provide steps up the slope. The mound latrine is
      closed as described in a(2) above.
5. Pail Latrine. A pail latrine may be built
   when conditions (populated areas, rocky soil, and
   marshes) are such that a latrine of another type
   cannot be constructed. A four-seat latrine box may be
   converted for use as a pail latrine by placing a
   hinged door on the rear of the box, adding a floor,
   and placing a pail under each seat. If the box is
   located in a building, it should, if possible, be
   fitted into an opening made in the outer wall so that
   the rear door of the box can be opened from outside
   the building. The seats and rear door should be
   self-closing, and the entire box should be made
   flyproof. The floor of the box should be made of an
   impervious material (concrete, if possible) and should
   slope enough toward the rear to facilitate rapid water
   drainage used in cleaning the box. A urinal may also
   be installed in the latrine enclosure with a drainpipe
   leading to a pail outside. This pail should also be
   enclosed in a flyproof box. The waste in pails may be
   disposed of by burning or by hauling to a suitable
   area and burying. Emptying and hauling containers of
   waste must be closely supervised to prevent careless
   spillage. The use of plastic bag liners for pails
   reduces the risk of accidental spillage. The filled
   bags are tied at the top; they then are disposed of by
   burning or burial.
6. Urine Disposal Facilities. Urine disposal
   facilities should be provided for the males in the
   command. Urine should be drained from the urinals into
   a soakage pit, into a standard deep pit latrine if the
   urinals are constructed in conjunction with the
   latrine, or into the chemical latrine. The urine may
   be drained into a pit latrine through a pipe, hose, or
   trough. If a soakage pit is used, it should be dug
   4-feet (1.2-meters) square and 4-feet (1.2-meters)
   deep and filled with rocks, flattened tin cans,
   bricks, broken bottles, or similar nonporous rubble.
   1. Urinal pipes. Urinal pipes should be at
      least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in diameter and
      approximately 39-inches (1-meter) long and placed at
      each corner of the soakage pit and, if needed, on
      the sides halfway between the corners. The pipes are
      inserted at least 8-inches (20-centimeters) below
      the surface of the pit with the remaining 28 inches
      (80 centimeters) slanted outward above the surface.
      A funnel of tar paper, sheet metal, or similar
      material is placed in the top of each pipe and
      covered with a screen.
   2. Urinal trough. A urinal trough, about
      10-feet (3.3-meters) long, is provided when material
      for its construction is more readily available than
      pipes. The trough is made of sheet metal or wood
      with either V- or U-shaped ends. If the trough is
      made of wood, it is lined with tar paper or metal.
      The legs supporting the trough are cut slightly
      shorter on one end where a pipe carries the urine
      into the soakage pit or latrine pit. A urinal trough
      about 12-inches (30-centimeters) long is attached to
      the inside wall of the chemical latrine. A pipe is
      connected to the trough to drain urine into the
      latrine holding tank.
   3. Urine soakage pit. For the urine soakage
      pit to function properly, soldiers must not urinate
      on the surface of the pit. The funnels or trough
      must be cleaned daily with soap and water and the
      funnels replaced as necessary. Oil and grease must
      never be poured into the pit, as they will clog it.
      When a urine soakage pit is to be abandoned or it
      becomes clogged, it is sprayed with a residual
      insecticide and mounded over with a 2-foot
      (60-centimeter) covering of compacted earth.
   4. Urinoil. In areas where the ground water
      level is more than 3-feet (1-meter) below the
      surface, the urinoil is an acceptable substitute for
      other types of urine disposal facilities. The
      urinoil is a 55-gallon drum designed to receive and
      trap urine and to dispose of it into a soakage pit.
      Urine voided through the screen onto the surface of
      the oil immediately sinks through the oil to the
      bottom of the drum. As urine is added, the level
      rises within the 3-inch diameter pipe and overflows
      into the 11/2-inch diameter pipe through the notches
      cut in the top of this pipe. The oil acts as an
      effective seal against odors and against fly
      entrance. The screen on top of the oil is lifted by
      supporting hooks and cleaned of debris as necessary.