Portable Sanitation Association International

ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION OCTOBER 14, 2020 Page 13 Questions from the Field…continued from page 12 Here are the defining features which may be helpful in your discussions with your customers who come to you with specific questions or concerns: • Fresh water flush units have two tanks: a waste holding container and a separate container for fresh water. In these units, water for flushing is fresh and, usually, untreated. The experience of using a fresh water flush portable restroom is pleasant and closely mimics using a sewered toilet. Fresh water flush units are a popular choice when users want that experience and they are aware of the differences between these two unit types. Fresh water flush units are a good fit on sites where the units will be serviced frequently. This is due to the fact that if the fresh water tanks are empty, the unit often stops operating. So it is essential the units are refilled with fresh water on a schedule that matches the use patterns. These units are often not a good fit on sites where servicing is infrequent or use patterns are not predictable. Users who want to control costs may also find these units more expensive to offer on longer term sites due to the increased service schedule that is often required. • Recirculating flush units have a single tank. It usually contains fresh water that has been treated with chemicals that kill germs, address odors, and/ or accelerate the process of biodegradation of the waste. These products are safe and are used in portable toilets around the world. Users will see this colored water (usually blue) when they flush, but they should not come into contact with it. The experience is similar to that of using a restroom on many types of airplanes. While users who are aware of the two types of units may perceive a recirculating flush-type to be less "clean" because waste also enters that same tank, it is important to realize the recirculated water has been screened and treated with chemicals when it moves through the flushing system. Users will not see or smell the waste of others. Recirculating flush units are a good equipment choice on sites where service will be less frequent and use patterns are less predictable. Because the unit cannot "run out" of water in the tank, these units will continue to work if service is delayed or use is heavier than expected. Q: Since portable restrooms don't flush, are they safe to use in the era of COVID-19?—Nicole H., reporter A: Actually, one could argue that portable restrooms are safer because they don't flush. There is a good deal of research that shows flushing creates an aerosol that spreads the contents of a toilet into the air in a room. Many public toilets do not have lids, so you can't close the lid to avoid that. The waste in a portable toilet is safe as long as it is below the blue water in the tank. That blue water contains chemicals that kill bacteria and viruses, and without a flush it isn't getting into the air in the unit. The more important question for any kind of restroom—portable or sewered—is this: how often is it being cleaned and what cleaning products/techniques are being used? We now know that COVID-19 doesn't live very long on surfaces, but it is still essential that cleaning occur frequently using products on the EPA's list of those approved for killing the virus. We also know that COVID-19 can linger in the air for a long time. So it's important to ensure all restrooms are properly ventilated. Users should also be sure to wear masks inside restrooms and wash their hands after using the restroom. v

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