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Utah officials urge you to ‘poop with a plan’ when you’re in the desert

Restroom facilities provided by the Forest Service at Drews Creek Campground. (Credit: Adobe Stock)

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Many people in Utah spend the summer months outdoors — and whether you’re an experienced outdoorsman or a beginner, there is one question you may not want to ask: How do you use the bathroom properly?

As it turns out, there is a wrong — and illegal — way to do it.

The Southeast Utah Health Department recently released an infographic to explain “the best way” to deal with your waste when out in the desert, and it included a reminder that cat holes — or small holes where people dispose of their waste — are illegal in Grand County.

“Human waste does not break down as quickly in desert environments and aside from being smelly and unsightly [it] can expose others to disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites,” the Southeast Utah Health Department said.

The department suggested three waste-disposal methods: Outhouses, portable toilets, and WAG bags (or single-use toilet systems). Officials said you should “poop with a plan” — and that plan should include packing out your toilet paper and waste.

“Improperly disposed of human waste has become a growing issue across the trails and dispersed camping areas of public lands in our district,” officials explained.

The Southeast Utah Health Department also reminded those visiting outdoor areas that they should not dispose of WAG bags or trash in outhouses, as there are dump stations for portable toilets and identified containers in Moab for WAG bags.

The Southeast Utah Health Department and Grand County Active Transportation and Trails partnered up to create a campaign to educate people on how to responsibly recreate and defecate when visiting public lands. The program is funded through 2025, officials said.

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