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Family of five, well down until spring 2027. One porta potty enough?

Sam O.asked 1 viewHome Renovations & Long-termHome and long termHow many unitsDelivery and servicingLong term rentalFamily use

Our well pump failed last week, right in the middle of a bathroom remodel. We're a family of five, two adults, three kids, and the contractor says we won't have running water until spring 2027. That's months without a flush. We've got a flat gravel driveway where a truck can pull right up, but I'm wondering if one standard porta potty will cut it for all of us. The rental company offered a weekly service visit, but I'm worried about capacity and lines in the morning. Should we be looking at a deluxe unit with a sink, or even a restroom trailer? How do you handle hygiene with no running water for that long?

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Luis A.Bozeman, MT

One standard portable toilet is not enough for a family of five for months. A standard unit holds 50 to 70 gallons, and with five people, weekly service will likely be insufficient. The holding tank will fill too quickly, especially with kids, and morning lines will be a problem. You need at least two units.

For long-term use with no running water, a deluxe unit with a sink is a better choice than a standard model for hygiene, but it still requires weekly pumping. A restroom trailer is the most comfortable option with multiple stalls and sinks, but it needs level ground, electrical hookup for lights and pumps, and a water supply for flushing, which adds complexity and cost. Your gravel driveway with good truck access is a major advantage for any rental.

Talk to your rental company about increasing the service frequency to twice a week if you stick with standard units. The cost is driven by the unit type, rental duration, number of service visits, and delivery distance. For hand washing, rent a standalone handwash station.

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