Porta Potty: What Is It & How Does It Work?

We’re sure that you have heard of a porta potty before, but what do you actually know about them? Do you know how they work? Do you know how they dispose of the waste that they accumulate? Do you know what they can be used for, where they can be used, and so on? If not, then you’re in the right place to get all of that information.

Choosing whether or not you want to get a porta potty for your event or for your business requires you to understand them, which is the goal of this article. So, if you would like to find out more about the inner workings of a porta potty, as well as a whole host of other information about them, keep reading.

What Is A Porta Potty?

A porta potty, which is also known as a portable toilet, is exactly what it says in the name. It’s a self-contained, portable bathroom. These don’t require any connection to a sewer network in the same way that toilets within our homes do, and that’s what makes them the perfect solution for different events, business retreats, and so much more. But, we’re going to be talking about what they can be used for in more detail further down in this article, so you can get a good idea as to when they’re a good idea to hire.

The point of a porta potty is to ensure that there is easy access to a bathroom in a place where there are no other bathroom options. The majority of porta potties have a door with a locking mechanism to ensure privacy of all those who use it, but this is not guaranteed! 

How Do They Work?

But, if a porta potty doesn’t have to be connected to any sort of sewerage, how do they actually work? It’s actually quite simple once you understand it. The main part of the portable toilet is called the waste holding tank which sits under the toilet seat. This collects all of the urine and feces and stores it. Within this tank, there is a chemical solution that is used to break down the waste, control the odor that can be created, and kill the germs meaning that it is a hygienic solution.

There are different types of portable bathrooms as well, so it depends on which one you choose as to how it’s going to work. If you get a porta potty with a flushing system then this works by either flushing the chemical solution that we mentioned above around the bowl to clean it, or it will use fresh water from a small separate tank, depending on how it was made. If you have a flushing system, there will also be a pressure system included that is responsible for helping push the chemical or water through the pipe, and pushing the waste into the tank.

That leaves one question though, right? How is the smell controlled? We know that we have already mentioned the chemical solution helps with this, but there is also ventilation in the porta potty to further control the odor and gases. This is usually a vent pipe that leads outside and releases all of this out there.

How Is The Waste Disposed Of?

You may be wondering how the waste is disposed of in the big, boxy, portable restrooms. Well, they are not released onto the land where they are situated. They are incredibly good at keeping everything in until it is meant to be released. Large tanks can often come along with a vacuum attachment and suck everything out. This is useful if they are being used for long periods of time such as week long events. These tanks and trucks are licensed with the environmental agency so nothing bad will happen while they are being emptied and disposed of.

The waste is then taken to special treatment plants where every piece of waste is broken down using chemicals and different processes. The porta potty itself is then taken to be washed and sanitized thoroughly before being reused elsewhere.

What Is That Blue Liquid?

You may have noticed some blue liquid in the base of all porta potties that you use. This is not only to make the cubicle smell nice, although it does a great job with that! It is actually a specialized cleaning solution that acts as a disinfectant and to make sure you don’t catch anything from sitting on a toilet that many other people have been using.

So next time, you see that cool blue stuff floating in the bottom of the porta potty, know that it is doing its job.

What Can They Be Used For?

If you are hosting an event then you might find yourself wondering how your guests are going to use the restroom. There is a solution for this and it is to rent porta potties. They are not a new concept and the idea has been around since the Egyptians. However, the new style plastic ones are convenient and versatile for all sorts of events. You will often find them at music events, sports events, and even on construction sites. The list of possibilities for these portable restrooms is endless. Make sure you know where you are going to place them before your event starts, as they should be conveniently placed for all your guests and visitors to use.

Are They Environmentally Friendly?

Lastly, you may be wondering to yourself if porta potties are environmentally friendly. The answer is quite controversial at times. However, there are both positives and negatives to using these convenient restrooms. A porta potty is a wonderful system that is great with water conservation and a huge bonus if you are trying to be friendly to the planet. Some porta potties are even waterless, meaning they use chemicals or urine diverting systems to get rid of waste.

Porta potties also contain all of the human waste that is put into them, this means it isn’t released into the community or natural water sources. This prevents harm relating to water contamination. As mentioned above, the waste in porta potties is disposed of in special treatment plants.

We hope you found this article helpful and it gave you some helpful ideas and tips on what porta potties are and how they work.

Rent Porta Potties With Go Potties!

If you are looking to rent a porta potty soon, our team at Go Potties! Is here to help! Contact us today to learn more about how you can rent a porta potty with us today!