How Much Waste Is Evacuated During A Standard
Construction Visit
Construction Visit
How important is size? At least according to an informal Journal polling, the size of a portable restroom holding
tank seems to matter most when rented out to accommodate larger crowds during special events. For standard
construction site services, the group reports a collection of waste, including the original charge averaging 15.92
gallons per unit.
Over the past ten years the increased use of stand alone holding tanks as well as hand washing facilities on
construction sites has impacted the numbers making it difficult to simply divide total gallons by number of units
serviced, for an exact number. At best the figures reveal a new standard with these conditions in place. While
California has regulations calling for hand wash facilities on construction sites there was no significant difference in
their numbers as compared to other parts of the country.
Several reported evacuation at rates exceeding 25 and upwards toward 40 gallons, while coastal states hovered in
the 15-gallon range and as low as 6 gallons. Most indicated satisfaction in tank sizes ranging from 50-80 gallons
noting the need to address the unique conditions, special events present in accommodating larger crowds during
short intervals.
Julie Mantey of Texas-based K&H Portable Toilets explains, “In the deep south, size isn’t the main issue.”
Humidity, (causing odors) along with flies are what customers complain about. According to Mantey, these
problems are not being affected by over use or capacity but by humid conditions common to the area. Mantey
believes construction type customers would prefer service on a quicker basis as opposed to the standard seven day
cycles.
For some, such as Dave Holm of On-Site Sanitation in Minnesota the standard size tanks on the market may be
encouraging over use noting that a preferred tank size might fall in the 35 to 40 gallon ranges. “In our industry we
get paid to pump and service the units, not only to keep our units clean, but in order to keep standards and
reputations high, keeping customers happy, and maintaining them as repeat business as well. I do not know of one
company that says they don’t have clean sanitary units,” says Holm. “In fact many companies use the word
sanitary or sanitation in their names. Large tanks encourage overuse. A 70-gallon tank, if full is far too much waste
to try to control odor, cleanliness and paper usage, not to mention the graffiti that an over used restroom invites.
Our industry provides sanitation. Any unit that is full with 65-70 gallons of human waste is not sanitary! The
dictionary defines the word Sanitary as: ‘free from elements of filth or bacteria that endangers health.’ I encourage
all companies to push for more service or more restrooms on job sites. This will be a WIN-WIN for both you and
the customer” he closed.
Another veteran restroom rental contractor noted he would prefer a method that clearly reveals to the customer that
the tank is at capacity when a third full. According to him, it is a tough sell to explain that additional service and/or
units are required when there is plenty of room in the tank.”Having an indicator built into the tank would send a
powerful message. I think our industry can do better than the current indicator (flowing onto the floor).
tank seems to matter most when rented out to accommodate larger crowds during special events. For standard
construction site services, the group reports a collection of waste, including the original charge averaging 15.92
gallons per unit.
Over the past ten years the increased use of stand alone holding tanks as well as hand washing facilities on
construction sites has impacted the numbers making it difficult to simply divide total gallons by number of units
serviced, for an exact number. At best the figures reveal a new standard with these conditions in place. While
California has regulations calling for hand wash facilities on construction sites there was no significant difference in
their numbers as compared to other parts of the country.
Several reported evacuation at rates exceeding 25 and upwards toward 40 gallons, while coastal states hovered in
the 15-gallon range and as low as 6 gallons. Most indicated satisfaction in tank sizes ranging from 50-80 gallons
noting the need to address the unique conditions, special events present in accommodating larger crowds during
short intervals.
Julie Mantey of Texas-based K&H Portable Toilets explains, “In the deep south, size isn’t the main issue.”
Humidity, (causing odors) along with flies are what customers complain about. According to Mantey, these
problems are not being affected by over use or capacity but by humid conditions common to the area. Mantey
believes construction type customers would prefer service on a quicker basis as opposed to the standard seven day
cycles.
For some, such as Dave Holm of On-Site Sanitation in Minnesota the standard size tanks on the market may be
encouraging over use noting that a preferred tank size might fall in the 35 to 40 gallon ranges. “In our industry we
get paid to pump and service the units, not only to keep our units clean, but in order to keep standards and
reputations high, keeping customers happy, and maintaining them as repeat business as well. I do not know of one
company that says they don’t have clean sanitary units,” says Holm. “In fact many companies use the word
sanitary or sanitation in their names. Large tanks encourage overuse. A 70-gallon tank, if full is far too much waste
to try to control odor, cleanliness and paper usage, not to mention the graffiti that an over used restroom invites.
Our industry provides sanitation. Any unit that is full with 65-70 gallons of human waste is not sanitary! The
dictionary defines the word Sanitary as: ‘free from elements of filth or bacteria that endangers health.’ I encourage
all companies to push for more service or more restrooms on job sites. This will be a WIN-WIN for both you and
the customer” he closed.
Another veteran restroom rental contractor noted he would prefer a method that clearly reveals to the customer that
the tank is at capacity when a third full. According to him, it is a tough sell to explain that additional service and/or
units are required when there is plenty of room in the tank.”Having an indicator built into the tank would send a
powerful message. I think our industry can do better than the current indicator (flowing onto the floor).
Some respondents to the polling noted that size is not near as important as the ability to control odors. Bill Lunshof
of Ampot based in Ontario, Canada would be pleased with a 30-35 gallon tank, explaining, “any more use than that
and the chemical becomes diluted and ineffectual.”
Looking at the numbers, it appears that the most interesting revelation is the significant route differences. One
company reports six gallons while another reports 40 gallons, as an average. Over the course of servicing 50
construction site portable restrooms the six-gallon route evacuates 300 gallons as compared to 2,000 with the other.
of Ampot based in Ontario, Canada would be pleased with a 30-35 gallon tank, explaining, “any more use than that
and the chemical becomes diluted and ineffectual.”
Looking at the numbers, it appears that the most interesting revelation is the significant route differences. One
company reports six gallons while another reports 40 gallons, as an average. Over the course of servicing 50
construction site portable restrooms the six-gallon route evacuates 300 gallons as compared to 2,000 with the other.
| 15.92 gallons |
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Serving the American Liquid Waste Industry Since 2002