Insightz

How Do Porta Potties Work?

Porta potties are a common sight at outdoor events, construction sites, and other locations where traditional restroom facilities are not readily available. These temporary, self-contained units provide a convenient solution for maintaining sanitation and hygiene in various settings. 

But have you ever wondered how porta potties work? 

At ZTERS, we know a thing or two about porta potty rentals. While a lot of people may be alarmed by common porta potty misconceptions, we’re here to clear the air. Here’s what to know about how porta potties work.

Porta Potty Structure and Design

Though the history of the porta potty reveals that these units have looked different over time, today’s porta potties are designed with a compact structure that makes them easy to transport and set up. The basic design includes:

Outer Shell

The exterior of a porta potty is typically made of durable, lightweight materials like plastic or fiberglass. This shell provides stability and protects the inner components from the elements.

Interior

The interior of a porta potty is partitioned into different sections, including the toilet area, urinal, hand sanitizer dispenser, and sometimes a small sink.

Tank

The most critical component of a porta potty is the waste-holding tank located beneath the toilet seat. This tank is designed to store waste and water until it can be properly disposed of.

Keep in mind that there are a variety of portable toilets available including ADA compliant toilets and restroom trailers.

The Functioning Mechanism

The working of a porta potty involves a straightforward process that ensures proper sanitation and minimizes odor. Here’s how porta potties work:

Toilet Area

When a user enters a porta potty and uses the toilet, waste is deposited into the waste-holding tank.

Waste-Holding Tank

The waste-holding tank is equipped with chemicals and enzymes that break down the solid waste and help control odors.

Water Usage

Modern porta potties also have a water reservoir or flush tank that uses a small amount of water to flush waste into the waste-holding tank, aiding in the breakdown process.

Urinal and Sink (Optional)

Some porta potties have a separate urinal and sink area, which helps keep the toilet area cleaner and lessens the load on the waste-holding tank. Additionally, many porta potty renters choose to add hand sanitizing stations and/or portable sinks to their rental.

Ventilation

Porta potties are fitted with vents at the top to allow for proper ventilation, minimizing odors and promoting a more comfortable environment for users.

Porta Potty Maintenance and Servicing

It comes as no surprise to anyone that porta potties require regular maintenance and servicing. Servicing can look different depending on the season. In colder months, portable toilets may be winterized to prevent them from freezing over.

Cleaning

Porta potties need to be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis to maintain hygiene and prevent odors. At ZTERS, we typically service your portable toilet once a week, but if there are more people on your site, you may require more frequent cleaning.

Refilling Supplies

The hand sanitizer dispenser and toilet paper need to be regularly refilled to ensure users have access to necessary supplies. 

Pumping Waste

The waste-holding tank needs to be pumped out and properly disposed of at designated waste disposal facilities.

Do porta potties flush?

One common (and very understandable) question we hear often is: do porta potties flush? The answer is sometimes, and not necessarily in the way that a traditional indoor toilet does.

Flushable porta potties do flush away any waste left in the bowl. However, the waste is not flushed away to an underground sewage line as it is in your home. Rather, the waste is moved to a waste tank hidden inside the unit. That means that the waste disappears from sight, but it doesn’t leave the unit. This does help minimize odors (as does closing the lid when not in use).

The porta potty flushing mechanism typically operates with a foot pump, limiting the number of surfaces a user needs to touch.

Environmental Considerations

Efforts are being made to improve the sustainability of porta potties by incorporating eco-friendly features. These include using biodegradable toilet paper, environmentally-friendly cleaning agents, and water-saving flush mechanisms.

Rent a Porta Potty from ZTERS

ZTERS is proud to be the go-to porta potty provider for thousands of sites nationwide. We’re here to answer all of your questions from how many porta potties you need to OSHA requirements for construction portable toilets.

Give us a call and we can set you up with a convenient porta potty rental. We can even bundle all your services into one simple invoice.