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Family of four, well failed until spring 2027: one porta potty enough?

Sam O.asked 0 viewsHome Renovations & Long-termLong term rentalService frequencyStandard unitFamily useHolding tank

Our well pump died and the wait for a new well is until spring 2027, six months without running water. We're a family of four: two adults and two kids (ages 8 and 10). The rental company dropped off a single standard portable toilet on our gravel driveway yesterday, about 15 feet from where the vacuum truck can park. It's a basic unit with a holding tank and hand sanitizer dispenser. We're wondering if this one non-flushing toilet will be enough for all our daily needs, including mornings and evenings. What's the real-world capacity like for a household? Should we consider upgrading to a deluxe unit with a sink or even a restroom trailer, or is weekly service sufficient?

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Jake W.Denver, CO

One standard unit on weekly service is not enough for four people using it as their only toilet for six months. A standard holding tank is listed around 50 to 70 gallons, and full time household use runs a lot heavier than the job site use that weekly service is built around. We had one at the house during our bathroom gut and with just two adults it was getting ripe before the truck came back.

Ask for two pump outs a week, or a second standard unit with both on the weekly route. Either fixes the capacity problem. A deluxe unit with a sink is nice for the kids washing up, but the tank is not much bigger and the sink water has to go somewhere, so it does not solve the real issue on its own.

Two other things for a six month stretch. Winter is coming, so ask how they handle freezing on your service visit, since a frozen tank cannot be pumped. And keep that 15 foot path to the truck clear of snow and parked cars, or the driver may skip you.

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