LESSON 3
FIELD WASTE DISPOSAL METHODS
Section I. HUMAN WASTE DISPOSAL
3-1.
GENERAL
a. The basic requirement for waste disposal under field conditions is the same
as for a permanent installation; that is, wastes must be disposed of in such a way as to
preclude contamination of surface or subsurface waters, attraction of rodents and
insects, creation of a nuisance, or violation of Federal, state, or local pollution
abatement laws or regulations. Field and installation requirements differ. The
commander, rather than the engineer, is responsible for the construction and
maintenance of waste disposal facilities under field conditions. Whereas waste disposal
facilities on an installation are permanent in nature, those used in the field are generally
improvised and temporary.
NOTE: For good preventive medicine practice, contact the preventive medicine
service/section or team at your installation or local field unit.
b. During time of war, a commander must exercise a high degree of
resourcefulness, as well as look out for the health and safety of the soldiers. Wars are
fought under conditions ranging from primitive, harsh circumstances to situations which
would be considered comfortable in time of peace. When adequate buildings and
facilities are available in a hostile environment, the commander must determine whether
the added health benefit of utilizing such facilities offsets the lack of tactical
concealment and the hazard from partisans. When adequate facilities are not available
or when the commander chooses not to use available facilities, improvised facilities
must be constructed to ensure the maintenance of proper sanitary standards within the
command. As with the first camps set-up in Saudi Arabia for the Persian Gulf War of
1991, commanders found out quickly that filthborne diseases caused by unsanitary
human waste disposal conditions resulted in soldiers coming down with dysentery and
diarrhea. Because diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain can be abrupt and last up to
several days, soldiers were rendered combat ineffective. Sanitary shortfalls were noted
by AMEDD personnel when they inspected the waste facilities and the methods of
operation. Recommended changes were made to the commanders and immediate
corrections were implemented. The devices or types and methods of human and liquid
waste disposal discussed in this lesson have been devised to meet the criteria of simple
construction and adequate sanitation.
c. For many years, it has been standard Army practice during field training to
simulate combat conditions as nearly as possible. However, because of the large
number of troop units which have repeatedly used the same training areas both in the
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