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Well pump failed until spring 2027. Can a family of four rely on one porta potty for 6 months?

Sam O.asked 0 viewsHome Renovations & Long-termLong term rentalService frequencyHolding tankFamily useWell failure

Our well pump failed last week and the replacement parts are backordered until spring 2027. We're a family of four with no running water until then. Our only bathroom is out of commission. I'm looking at renting a portable toilet for the next six months, but I'm worried one unit won't be enough. We have a gravel driveway where a truck can park right next to the spot. It's just us, no guests or parties. Can a single standard portable toilet handle daily use from four people for half a year, or should I be looking at something bigger like a deluxe unit or even a restroom trailer? What's the realistic service frequency we'd need?

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Jake W.Denver, CO

One standard unit on weekly service will carry four people, and that's what we lived with for most of a winter when our house was torn up. The tank was never the problem for us. What sneaks up on you is everything else that used to happen in a bathroom.

Couple things I'd sort out now:

  • Start on weekly service and ask the driver to tell you how full it was after the first two visits. If it's getting close, bump to twice a week. They can see it, you just guess.
  • Skip the trailer idea. Flushing setups and trailers want a water supply and usually power, which is the exact thing you don't have.
  • Ask for a unit with a sink or add a separate handwash station. With no tap in the house that matters more than the toilet.
  • Put it close to the back door on the gravel, door facing the house, and run a motion light to it. Middle of the night trips in December are real.
  • Ask what they do when it freezes. Some swap in a different deodorizer mix for cold weather.

Six months is fine. Just plan for showers and dishes separately.

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