Water shut off? A temporary restroom plan for today
No water means no restrooms, and staff cannot stay long without them. Here is the fastest way to stay open.
What should a business do when the water is shut off?
When the water is shut off, a business should order porta potties and a handwashing station for same-day delivery, then place them near a staff entrance on level pavement. Plan 1 unit for up to 20 staff for the day, and 1 handwashing station so employees who handle food or cash can wash.
- Call (314) 408-7740 with the address, staff count and how long the outage may last.
- Pick a spot near a back door, off the fire lane.
- Tell the driver about loading docks, gates or security.
- If the repair runs longer, the rental converts to weekly service.
How fast can temporary restrooms arrive?
Temporary restrooms can usually arrive the same day when you call in the morning and a truck has room in Florissant or North County. A same-day fee of $100 to $150 applies per trip. Afternoon calls are often first on the next morning’s route, so call the moment you know the water is off.
How many units does an office need during a water outage?
An office needs 1 porta potty for every 20 people on site per day, plus 1 handwashing station, during a water outage. A 45-person office needs 3 units and 1 or 2 stations. If the outage lasts more than a few days, the rental switches to weekly service so units stay clean.
| Staff on site | Porta potties | Handwash stations |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 | 1 | 1 |
| 21–40 | 2 | 1 |
| 41–60 | 3 | 1–2 |
| 61–100 | 4–5 | 2 |
Restaurants and food handlers should check health department rules before staying open. For the toilet count on a work site, OSHA uses 29 CFR 1926.51 as the reference.
Next steps: read about same-day delivery, compare handwashing stations, use the porta potty calculator, or request an itemized quote.
Related: same-day delivery, handwashing stations and more from the blog.
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Tell us the address, the date and the head count. We’ll give you an itemized price on the phone and lock in delivery.