There are many mysteries in life that we’ll probably never solve. Like who really assassinated JFK? And where did Harold Holt go? And why does Kewpie mayo taste so good on literally everything? These questions have to be accepted, and moved on from.
But today, we’re going to solve a mystery which you might have thought about before: where does the waste in a portable toilet go? The answer is more straightforward than you’d think.
Types of portable toilet
To solve this mystery, we have to look at the two main types of portable toilet and work out how they function. These two types of toilet are pump-out and sewer-connected toilets. Here’s how each of them works:
Fresh flush pump-out toilets
Pump-out toilets are probably the first type of portable toilet that comes to your mind. These toilets are not connected to a sewer system and instead have compartments where the waste goes after flushing. So, what happens to the waste? Great question. Inside the waste compartment, there are liquid chemicals which break down the waste, reducing odours and making it easier to dispose of. After a while, the waste needs to be ‘pumped out’ (hence the name) and the chemicals have to be replaced. Not as confusing as you thought, right?
These toilets also have a separate water compartment which is used for the flush function and for hand-washing purposes. When your hire company send a professional to pump-out, service and clean the portable toilet, they’ll also refill the water compartment.
Sewer-connected toilets
Sewer connected toilets are the cousins of pump-out toilets. They’re still portable and can be used anywhere – provided there’s a connection to a mains water supply and sewer system. This is because sewer-connected toilets don’t have their own compartment for waste; instead, they’re connected to the main sewer, transporting waste just like a normal toilet would. They don’t have a water compartment either, instead using the main water supply for flushing and hand-washing purposes.
Which option is best for you?
Both options of portable toilet have their benefits.
- Pump-out-toilets
Pump-out toilets are better for short-term construction sites, festivals, events and other situations that won’t require portable toilets for an extended period of time. They’re also suitable if there is no available connection to water and sewer systems. - Sewer connected toilets
Sewer connected toilets are more convenient for long-term construction sites in which you want to avoid the ongoing costs of pump-outs and chemical replacement.
Another mystery solved by the team at SBS Fence and Toilet Hire. If you’re looking for the best portable toilet hire service in Sydney, get in touch with the guys at SBS. Delivering sanitary, high quality portable toilets, SBS Fence and Toilet Hire have both pump-out and sewer connected toilets and are able to cater for construction sites, festivals, expos and more.
