In some locations pit contents are "flooded out" or "flushed out" when full: that is, the side of the pit is broken open to allow the contents to flow out, or the contents of the system are flushed out using water. This often occurs during the rainy season. These systems should be categorised as "Toilet failed, damaged, collapsed or flooded" connected to "Open ground".

In other situations people use "pit diversion": that is, another hole is dug next to the pit in use and the contents are then drained, flushed, or otherwise transferred into the new hole. For the purposes of the SFD, if the contents of the hole are backfilled and covered over so that humans are separated from excreta, the contents are considered "contained". These systems should be classified as "Toilet never emptied but abandoned when full, adequately covered with soil". However, if the contents are NOT properly covered over with a significant risk of humans being exposed to the excreta, then the contents are considered "NOT contained" and these systems should be classified as "Toilet never emptied but abandoned when full, NOT adequately covered with soil".