Portable/Chemical Toilets

When you can’t get to a bathroom, pack your own portable toilet

There was a time when going camping was all about roughing it, and if you had to go to the bathroom the nearest tree was your toilet. But with the development of the portable (or chemical) toilet, would-be naturalists could bring along at least one creature comfort (and an important one at that) from home. And as the technology has evolved, the portable toilet has become increasingly easier to carry and maintain, even when you’re out in the middle of nowhere.

Portable toilets date back to Europe just after the First World War, when sanitary shacks began appearing on post-war construction sites as a way of ensuring efficiency and round-the-clock work. Today, the Port-O-Potty is a mainstay not only on construction sites but also at outdoor rock concerts and other large public gatherings.

The individual consumer, however, is probably more interested in the small but effective portable or chemical toilet to take to the cottage or on camping trips. These toilets are typically made of molded plastic with a simple seat and bucket set-up. Depending on how much you’re willing to pay, these toilets can also have a more complex compartmental system designed to hold enough human waste for lengthy visits to the cottage or long road trips in the RV.

The leading brand name is the name that has become synonymous with portable camping equipment: Coleman. Coleman makes a wide range of portable toilets that typically have a 2.8-gallon holding tank and 3.2-gallon fresh water tank with flush pump. These units don’t need any external connections and also come with a convenient build-in carrying handle. They’re moderately priced (about $100 or so) and are extremely durable.

Of course, if you’re planning a big social gathering (think a giant family reunion or an outdoor wedding) you’re probably thinking about renting those large sanitation units you see on construction sites. If so, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

• Don’t scrimp on the price. The more money you put in, the better the storage quality will be and the longer the toilet will go before it gets too foul for your guests to use.
• Check with your local Health Board about rules governing the set up of larger portable or chemical toilets. The laws differ from country to country and state to state, and you should look into them before investing money in a large-scale portable toilet.