Do You Put Water in a Portable Toilet in Manitoba, CA?

Portable toilets, or porta-potties as they are typically called, are a perfect solution for outdoor events such as parades, festivals, concerts, get-togethers, and much more. Most don’t like thinking about portable toilets, but they are compact, affordable, and relatively easy to maintain. 

One question many of our renters wonder is, "Do you put water in a portable toilet?" The short answer is yes. Generally, portable toilets need water, but that’s not all they need, and there are some exceptions. With that in mind, the team at King's Services is here to discuss the basics of portable potty maintenance and care. 

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How Do Portable Toilets Work?

Most portable toilets have a hidden water tank that flushes waste into the main holding tank. The holding tank is filled with special chemicals that break down waste into a liquid that is easy to transport and dispose of. The main conceit of portable toilets is that they don’t need a sewer or septic system, so you can set one up virtually wherever you want. 

The most important part of the porta-potty is its waste disposal system. Chemicals in the waste tank break down harmful bacteria that grow in waste and create foul odors, providing a clean and sanitary environment for users. 

When the portable toilet is full, a sanitation crew pumps the disposal tank, replaces sanitation chemicals, and takes the liquid waste to a water treatment facility for processing and recycling. 

How Much Water Do Portable Toilets Need?

The exact amount of water a given portable toilet uses depends on the type and how often it is used. Regardless of the precise amount, portable toilets typically use significantly less than traditional toilets, which use an average of 1.5 gallons of water per flush. In contrast, portable potties use about half a gallon per flush—nearly a full gallon less than traditional toilets. 

The simplest portable toilets only need water for flushing waste, but some may also have handwashing stations that use water. These stations use a different reservoir of water than the flush tank, so it needs to be filled separately. Water from hand washing filters into a waste tank, which filters clean water back into the reservoir to reuse for handwashing. 

Most porta-potty handwashing stations can go for at least 200 washes before the station needs to be refilled. For portable toilets that don’t have sinks, most use liquid hand sanitizer for handwashing. 

How Do You Put Water in a Portable Toilet?

By now you are thinking, "How do you put water in a portable toilet?" Most portable toilets come with about 20 gallons of water in the main flush tank. If the toilet is being used frequently, it could need refilling at least once every few days. Fortunately, it’s pretty straightforward to refill a portable toilet’s water tank, and renters won’t have to worry about it. 

• First, the sanitation company will flush the water tank to wash any remaining waste into the waste tank. 
• Then, they will remove the liquid waste for disposal. 
• They will then fill the water tank through a special port near the base of the tank. 
• Lastly, they will fill the now-empty waste tank with a special mixture of chemicals and enzymes to break down organic waste. 

The last step is particularly important because portable toilets need those chemicals to work properly and remain sanitary for general use. You might be tempted to do some DIY Plumbing on your porta-potty, but that is a job best left to the experts. 

What Else Do Portable Toilets Need?

Portable toilets need water and waste-disposing chemicals, but that’s not all; they also need soap, hand towels, toilet paper, and sinks—everything people need to go to the restroom. Most rental companies will restock these essentials when they empty the waste tank and refill the water tank, but renters will want to have extra supplies on hand in case they run out mid-event. 

Benefits of Portable Toilets

Portable toilets have all kinds of benefits. Below are just some of the most notable advantages of using porta-potties. 

Self Contained

Porta-potties don’t require any extra infrastructure. You can simply set them up, and they are good to go. You don’t have to worry about connecting pipes, and your toilet rental company will take care of set-up, cleaning, and removal. 

Versatile

Rental companies offer a wide range of portable toilets to fit your needs. Options include single-tank toilets with only flushing mechanisms to high-quality toilet trailers with running water, ventilation, and HVAC capabilities. 

Cost-Effective

A portable restroom is by far the most economical option for one-off events or locations that need restroom facilities but don’t have sufficient plumbing infrastructure. Rental agreements are simple and cost much less than building permanent bathroom facilities. 

Do All Portable Toilets Use Water?

No, not all portable toilets use water. Some models dispose of waste using plastic bags, and others use dry filtration systems, such as sand or sawdust. 

Are Porta-Potties Environmentally Friendly?

Portable toilets have both positive and negative environmental impacts, but they do reduce water usage compared to regular toilets. Portable toilets also reduce the risk of contamination from human waste in the environment, which can seep into soil and the water table. 

However, some portable toilets may produce non-biodegradable waste, such as cartridges or bags, which can end up in a landfill. There is also some research showing that portable toilets can increase local greenhouse gas emissions due to decomposing waste. 

Portable toilet chemicals may also contain bleach and formaldehyde, both of which can be harmful to humans if not handled properly. 

Portable Toilet and Sanitation Solutions in Manitoba, CA

Now that you know the answer to "Do you put water in a portable toilet?" take the next step. King's Services has over 35 years of experience in the plumbing business and is the leading provider of portable toilet rentals in the Manitoba area. Contact King's Services online or give us a call today at (431) 532-5623 to discuss our portable toilet rental options!