What's the most unexpected item you've found in a porta potty?

The most unexpected item I found in a porta potty was a full set of socket wrenches, brand new in the case, in the holding tank of a standard unit on a construction site. That site had about 50 workers, so under OSHA 1926.51, they needed at least two units (one toilet seat and one urinal per 40 workers). Weekly service is the norm, but heavy use like that can mean more frequent visits. I’ve heard of wedding rings in deluxe units at events, those usually follow the one unit per 50 to 75 people guideline, with more for alcohol and longer duration. ADA-compliant units, required where clusters exist by the ADA cluster rule, sometimes have surprises too, like dropped phones or tools. Restroom trailers need power and level ground, and their waste is handled by the same vacuum trucks. The cost varies by unit type, service frequency, and add-ons like handwash stations. Always a mystery what turns up.

The most unexpected item I found was a mannequin head wearing sunglasses, floating in a standard unit after a Halloween fun run. Permit offices verify the restroom plan for an event like that uses the units per person guideline, one unit per 50 to 75 people for a four-hour event. We add more for a 5K race because of the sudden peak usage. That event had a cluster with one ADA-compliant portable toilet, which is required by the ADA cluster rule. Sam is right about weekly service, but a costume run with high traffic and food vendors needs a service visit the same day. The rental company charges more for the extra pumping and cleaning. A restroom trailer would have avoided the surprise, but it needs a generator and level ground.

The most unexpected item I have found in a portable toilet was a complete, new-in-box fishing rod and reel in a standard unit at our hunting camp. The unit was on a long-term rental for a small crew, and the weekly service had been missed once due to snow blocking the truck access. That's a detail Sam and Priya didn't mention: the rental contract often states that a blocked unit results in a missed service and you still get billed for the trip. For a small, remote site like ours, the service frequency is weekly, but the cost is higher because of the 40-mile drive. Winter service is different too; we use a formaldehyde-free deodorizer but the operator adds brine to the holding tank to prevent freezing.