Vacuum truck
Also called: pump truck, service truck, septic truck
A vacuum truck is the service vehicle with a vacuum pump, a waste tank and a fresh water tank that pumps out portable toilet holding tanks on a route and hauls the waste to a treatment plant or approved disposal site. Route drivers service dozens of units a day from one truck.
The truck carries a hose that reaches a limited distance, which is why operators ask for units to be placed close to where the truck can park. It also carries fresh water for flushing units and handwash stations and the deodorizer for the recharge.
When the truck cannot get to the unit (soft ground, low branches, a locked gate), the driver logs a missed service and the customer usually still pays for the trip.
See also: Service visit, Truck access, Waste disposal
Questions that use this term
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Why does my porta potty smell so bad by midweek and how do I fix it?
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How often does a porta potty need to be pumped and cleaned? ✓ Solved
Yes, weekly service is necessary even for light use. The rental company follows a standard service frequency schedule to prevent odor, maintain…
Do I need an ADA porta potty at my event, and how many?
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How do porta potties work on a job site in winter when everything freezes? ✓ Solved
Rental companies add a brine or non-toxic antifreeze solution to the holding tank during winter service visits to prevent freezing. The antifreeze…
How do you empty a porta potty? What the pump-out actually involves ✓ Solved
You cannot legally empty a portable toilet yourself. The pump-out process requires a vacuum truck operated by a permitted septage hauler, and the…