Operators: what's your 2026 strategy for rising wastewater disposal costs?

We are raising our base service rate to cover rising wastewater disposal costs. The treatment plant fees are a fixed cost per gallon, so we are factoring that into our standard pricing instead of adding a separate line item. Customers understand a rate increase better than a surprise fee.

Our contracts now specify that service frequency adjusts with use: weekly is the norm, but high-traffic sites like events with alcohol or long-term rentals with more people need twice-weekly service. We explain that more service visits mean more disposal costs, so the rate reflects that.

We also review unit types with clients. A restroom trailer uses more water and produces more gray water, which costs more to dispose. For construction sites, we follow OSHA 1926.51 on unit counts but suggest standard units over deluxe ones where possible to reduce waste volume. For events, we use the one unit per 50 to 75 people guideline but note that alcohol and longer durations require more units and service.

Renegotiating with the plant is not an option for small operators here. The key is transparent pricing and educating customers on what drives costs: unit type, service frequency and event factors.