Y2K Sanitation

[Guest guest]

"COM: Dhyanakunda (dd) KKD (NE-BBT, Almvik - S)" wrote:

 

> [Text 2694097 from COM]

>

> There is a lot in the Vedas which we do not follow. My standard

> >is the Vedic toilet test: Do you use a flush toilet? I do and so do

> >most devotees. But it is forbidden to pass stool or urine in water

> >according to Manu Samhita. If we can't even pass the Vedic toilet test,

> >it seems pretentious for us to pretend that we can directly follow other

> >Vedic injunctions without going through Srila Prabhupada first.

>

> Thank you for this funny and vivid example. Still, I thank God we in the

> modern cities (if we have to have them) do not pass the Vedic toilet test.

> I guess in the times when the Manu-samhita was written, "water" meant

> wells, ponds and rivers (from which others take water, bathe etc.) There

> was plenty of forest and other places for leaving one's droppings, and

> not so many of those who produced the droppings.

 

> Sigh.

> Ys dhkdd

 

Actually, when it comes to the question of not passing stool and urine in

water, there is a small but growing contingent of modern waste-management

experts who would agree with Manu that water-borne sewage systems are still

not such a great idea. So in this case, it might be ideal if we could follow

Manu's standards for toilet functions. But the point is, to me at least,

other things should have a greater priority. In general, I think the first

priority should be how to offer Krsna only milk from protected cows in all His

temples. Then, somewhere down the line comes more ecologically-sound toilets.

 

I say, in general, cow protection should take precedence over composting

toilets.

 

But I do want to take the opportunity to note that many sewage and water

systems around the world are at great risk due to Y2K. Banking firms and

electric companies in advanced countries seem to be doing pretty well in

keeping up with their computer conversion (at least according to the press,

who may be lying to us).

 

But the municipalities are another story. Some are good, and some, even in

highly developed countries like the US, are very far behind. Already there

was a spill last June in Van Nuys, California of 5 million gallons of raw

sewage, when the Y2K conversion did not function properly. It will be amazing

if we don't see more similar problems.

 

I believe that water and sewage troubles will present big problems and even

health hazards in many cities around the world, come January. Cities that are

highly advanced and free from political corruption (which awards contracts

like this on the basis of friendship rather than competence - China has

already had a Y2K contract scandal) may be alright. Cities that are pretty

backward, so that their electricity and water and sewage have never been

computerized may also be alright.

 

But cities that are in the middle range -- computerized, but sloppy in their

administrative "housekeeping" -- may have some very serious problems.

 

Every ISKCON temple needs to have on hand at least 5 gallons of water per

person by January 1 -- if you start now, it's easiest at 1 gallon (2 liters)

per week. You can put a couple *drops* of clorox into it to perserve it if

you don't want to waste money on bottled drinking water. (Don't use recycled

plastic milk jugs for drinking water.) I recommend that we all drink only

bottled or boiled drinking water for the first week of January until we are

sure that the municipal water supply has not accidentally become contaminated

due to a breakdown in the computerized testing system.

 

And, every ISKCON temple should have a plan of how to take care of human

excrement, in case local sewage systems have to shut down for several days.

My advice to mothers of small children is: buy extra disposable diapers and

freshwipes now, and plan to relocate to the country for a week beginning the

end of December if you don't want to risk having to deal with no sewage

service with your kids. At least you can use an outhouse. If things turn out

alright, you can return to the city by January 4.

 

My advice to city temples is: don't waste money on chemical toilets. Just

get use a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet seat on it for a toilet. And, yes,

toilet paper - you won't want to waste water. You should cover the excrement

*throroughly* with sawdust or bark mulch after each use. The carbon of the

plant material will help absorb the nasty nitrogen scents from the excrement.

Complete instructions are available in *The Humanure Handbook* by J.C.

Jenkins. If done absolutely by the book, this method of composting heats up

and detroys harmful pathogens so effectively that the compost can be used to

grow vegetables. (Please see Prabhupada's "Kick out the West" quote.) If not

done exactly by the book, it's still a better smelling option than just using

a bucket. This is a solution which doesn't require a big investment. Just

store a garbage can full of saw dust/dried leaves/or bark mulch for every 3

people in your temple. Then empty the buckets onto a compost heap or into

garbage bags as they fill up.

 

If January comes, and your city's sewage system continues to work - great, you

can use the sawdust and bark mulch for landscaping around bushes and shrubs.

 

If January comes and your sewage system does not work -- you'll be glad you

planned for an alternative ahead of time.

 

Will Y2K cause serious disruptions for your city? -- the odds may be that it

won't. But -- speaking of the regulative principles -- gambling is against

our vows of initiation, so I personally would not bet that it will be smooth

sailing. Don't you bet on it either, be prepared -- just in case.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi