How are operators adapting to the 2026 PSAI waste disposal guidelines?
The PSAI updated its best practices for waste acceptance at treatment plants to push for lower biochemical oxygen demand and tighter controls on…
2answers
106views
Ray M. replied
Questions tagged “Waste disposal”
52 questions across all categories.
52 questions
What is the PSAI's role in 2026 industry standards?
The Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI) is the secretariat for ANSI Z4.3, the American National Standard for minimum requirements…
1answer
94views
Deb K. replied
Is it legal to dump a porta potty tank into my own septic system?
I have a hunting cabin in Montana, no septic, and I rent a standard unit for the season. The rental company drives 40 miles to service it, which adds…
2answers
76views
Marcus B. replied
Is the blue liquid in porta potties safe for the environment?
The blue liquid in a standard portable toilet is a deodorizer that is safe for the environment when the waste is disposed of properly at a wastewater…
2answers
65views
Ray M. replied
Buying a used vacuum truck in 2026: what should I check?
I run 20 standard portable toilets and three ADA-compliant units in the Dallas area. My current vacuum truck is an older single-axle rig, and it's…
2answers
65views
Deb K. replied
Operators: what's your 2026 strategy for rising wastewater disposal costs?
Our local wastewater treatment plant fees have gone up a lot in two years. We're a small operator with a mix of standard units, deluxe units,…
3answers
62views
Nina R. replied
Where does the waste from a porta potty actually go after it is pumped?
We have a standard portable toilet on our driveway for our bathroom renovation, and I just watched the vacuum truck pump it out. The driver was…
2answers
62views
Kim S. replied
What's the strangest thing you've had to pump out of a unit?
After ten years driving a vacuum truck, I've pulled some strange items out of portable toilets. A full set of car keys from a standard unit on a…
3answers
58views
Porta Potty Forum Team replied
High-rise unit on the 20th floor: how is waste pumped down?
A high-rise unit is serviced from the ground using a dedicated waste line. The waste line is a large-diameter pipe, usually 4 to 6 inches, that runs…
1answer
56views
Deb K. replied
How are operators handling increased disposal fees in 2026?
Operators are passing increased disposal fees to customers through direct surcharges or higher base rates. The cost to dump a gallon of waste at a…
2answers
54views
Kim S. replied
How are operators adapting to the 2026 PSAI training updates?
We're rewriting our driver training manuals ahead of the 2026 PSAI updates. We cover everything from safe handling of a standard unit to servicing a…
2answers
51views
Kim S. replied
How are operators adapting to the 2026 PSAI training curriculum updates?
I'm a new operator, just got my first vacuum truck and a dozen standard units. My driver and dispatcher are family, so I handle their training. I…
2answers
49views
Kim S. replied
Starting a porta potty business in 2026. What's the biggest cost?
I'm planning to start a porta potty business in 2026. I'm looking at a small fleet, maybe ten standard units and one ADA-compliant unit to start. I…
2answers
48views
Kim S. replied
How are operators handling 2026's new wastewater disposal regulations?
Just got the heads-up from our disposal plant that they're tightening their intake rules for 2026. The talk is more testing for contaminants and…
2answers
48views
Kim S. replied
How are other operators handling the 2026 PSAI training updates?
Just got the email from the PSAI about the new mandatory training module for certification renewal. It's the 2026 best practices update, and they're…
2answers
45views
Kim S. replied
What's the hardest part of wastewater disposal in 2026?
The hardest part of wastewater disposal in 2026 is navigating stricter environmental regulations and limited disposal facility access. Many…
2answers
44views
Deb K. replied
How are operators handling 2026's increased disposal fees?
Just got the new rate sheet from our disposal plant. They're raising the per-gallon fee by a solid chunk starting January 2026. We service 200 units…
2answers
43views
Deb K. replied
2026 waste disposal: are more treatment plants banning formaldehyde deodorizer?
I'm hearing more talk from other operators about wastewater treatment plants tightening up on formaldehyde in deodorizer. My company runs a mix of…
2answers
43views
Deb K. replied
What's the weirdest thing you've ever found in a porta potty during service?
Ten years on the vacuum truck, and I've pulled some strange things out of holding tanks. Last week, a full set of car keys, still on the ring. Before…
3answers
42views
Porta Potty Forum Team replied
Treatment plant tightened its septage rules. How are other operators handling disposal?
Our main wastewater treatment plant just tightened its septage rules. They're now testing every load and charging extra if the waste doesn't meet…
2answers
41views
Kim S. replied
2026 driver certification: What's new in PSAI training?
Got a notice the PSAI updated their driver certification program. The last time I sent a driver through, it was mostly pumping basics and disposal…
2answers
40views
Deb K. replied
City special event permit asks for 'PSAI compliance.' What does that mean?
The permit's 'PSAI compliance' requirement means the portable toilet rental company you hire must follow the Portable Sanitation Association…
1answer
40views
Dave P. replied
What's the biggest challenge in wastewater disposal for operators in 2026?
I've been hauling waste for 16 years, and 2026 is shaping up to be the toughest yet for disposal. My vacuum truck makes the same trips, but the costs…
2answers
39views
Kim S. replied
How do you dispose of waste in a rural county with no treatment plant?
I run a small portable toilet rental operation in a rural county. The nearest approved wastewater treatment plant that accepts septage is two hours…
2answers
39views
Kim S. replied
2026: Are more wastewater plants refusing waste with blue dye?
I just heard from another operator that a wastewater plant in a neighboring county is now turning away vacuum trucks if the waste has that familiar…
2answers
38views
Hector V. replied