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W EEKLY EDITION AUG 16, 2017 Done Defecating in the Dunes Portable toilets are to be installed along Old Orchard Beach in Maine to combat a growing open defecation issue Locals of Old Orchard Beach in Maine have voiced their concern for visitors relieving themselves "in the dunes and the ocean" to city officials – and they seem to finally be listening. Town officials took ac tion to install portable units along the 6+ mile stretch of beach after a "local resident told local news media about people pooping … along the beach" just a few weeks ago. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection's bureau of land resources has al so become involved, as the state is "working with town officials to address the problem." While public restrooms are centrally located near the beach, the stretch of coastline is too far for the single structure to suffice. A local resident, Sherri Tripp, explained just how dire the situation has become when she stated, "They're using the ocean. They're using the dunes. Just a few weeks ago in broad daylight we saw a gentleman come up behind this bush and do the 'No. 2,' unfortunately… I sit on my deck and we see at least 10 to 15 people a day, minimum, that's when I'm outside." Local residents have now been encouraged by Town Manager Larry Mead to contact local authorities if they notice anyone relieving themselves outside. In addition to being "pretty gr oss," many are more concerned with the levels of bacteria this open defecation will bring to the beach. According to Keri Kaczor, coordinator for Maine Healthy Beaches, "human feces is so much more pathogenic than that of a beaver or a bird, for example, a nd conditions can result in bacteria blooming more than once from a single deposit." The hope for many residents is that these portable units bring positive change to their beloved beach. R EAD THE STORY Rethinking Public Restrooms Berlin city officials are attempting to gender neutralize their public restrooms by adding a new type of urinal to the mix In Berlin, Germany, city authorities are attempting to bring gender equality to public toilets in the hopes of re - writing the classic narrative of women having to wait in extremel y long lines while men use public restrooms with ease. One of the topics discussed is the men's use of a urinal and how this allows for an exceeding number of male toilet options. Officials have proposed that "all locations that currently have a male - only "pissoir" (public urinal facility) should only exist in combination with unisex toilets." They also proposed that, "in the future, urinals which can be used by all genders should be offered." The hope is that by developing unisex urinals or men's and women 's urinal options would provide an "opportunity for Berlin to show that it is innovative." However, some fear that Berlin women won't want to relieve themselves by standing up at a urinal and instead will "demand screens and/or separate cubicles." While women's urinals are in existence throughout the world, they appear to be met with mixed reviews. It is unclear how the city of Berlin plans to move forward with their gender neutral options or how much of an affect these changes will actually have on shor tening line - times for female restroom users. However, female urinals do have the potential to change the face of the sanitation industry. R EAD THE STORY PAGE 15