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Service truck has to drive 40 miles to us. How do remote ranches keep a porta potty serviced?

Luis A.asked 2 viewsHome Renovations & Long-termFarmLong termServicingLong term rentalService frequency

My ranch is 40 miles from town, and the portable toilet rental company charges a big trip fee on top of the monthly rental rate for every service visit. We have a small crew of seasonal hands for about three months, and the unit sees light use. I have a standard unit sitting on level ground right by the ranch road, so the vacuum truck has good access. Even with low use, the operator says they need to come out weekly, but that trip fee adds up fast. For a remote site like this with infrequent use, what’s the best way to handle the service frequency? Has anyone negotiated a different schedule with their provider, or found a way to reduce the number of trips?

I’ve also thought about just buying a unit and dealing with the waste myself, but I know the waste disposal has to go to a treatment plant, and I’m not a permitted hauler. Is that even a realistic option, or is the long-term rental with fewer visits the only practical choice for a ranch?

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Sam O.Portland, OR

You can negotiate a longer service interval with your rental company to reduce the trip fees for a remote ranch with light use. The operator's standard weekly service frequency is for typical conditions, but light use in a remote location is a valid reason to discuss stretching it to every two or three weeks. The key is the holding tank capacity and how quickly it fills. A standard unit holds 50 to 70 gallons; with a small crew, it may take much longer to reach capacity. Ask the company if they can schedule service based on your actual usage instead of a fixed calendar week. Some providers offer a call-as-needed service for remote sites, where you monitor the unit and request a service visit only when it's needed, though they may require a minimum number of visits per rental period.

Buying a unit and handling waste yourself is not a practical option. You must be a permitted hauler to transport and dispose of the waste at a wastewater treatment plant, and using a vacuum truck is the only legal method. For a three-month seasonal need, a long-term rental with a negotiated, less frequent service schedule is your best bet. Emphasize the light usage and your good truck access when you talk to the rental company.

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