What are Vacuum Toilet Systems?

Photo courtesy PolyJohn

Looking to scale, differentiate your business, or tackle a few goals at once? Vacuum toilet systems could be the solution. These portable restrooms can remove waste after every use, eliminating smells and reducing water usage. For PROs breaking into events and public services, vacuum toilet systems can handle higher volumes before needing servicing, allowing owners to take new contracts without overextending their team.

Ready to learn more? Let’s dive into how vacuum toilet systems work, where they’re being used, and why.

What are Portable Vacuum Toilet Systems?

A vacuum toilet uses suction to flush waste after each use. It doesn’t have an onboard holding tank or use a traditional water and gravity system. Instead, users push a foot pedal or button to clear the bowl. The suction power and a small amount of water, which depends on the manufacturer’s unit but can be 0.5 gallons or less, move through sealed pipes to a collection tank.

Vendors can use different vacuum technologies for the units. Some add catcher units, transfer tanks, water supply, or flow control units. Each component has different service and maintenance needs in a multi-compartment or modular system. These setups can be useful at large-scale events where you need to move waste between sections or adjust to different customer needs, but it can be more challenging for PROs scaling their services.

Other manufacturers centralize vacuum pumps, accumulation tanks, and water pumps into one unit for faster setup with fewer parts to manage. This approach could reduce the number of points of failure in the system while still providing the benefits of portable vacuum toilets.

Who Uses Vacuum Toilets and Why?

The demand and uses for vacuum toilet systems are diverse, giving portable restroom operators flexibility in their marketing and income streams. Since vacuum units can handle higher volumes than traditional porta potties, they are ideal for providing sanitation services to almost any situation with high usage. They can be especially valuable if water conservation is a priority.

Here are a few groups that look for vacuum toilet systems:

• Event organizers: For both private and public large-scale events, vacuum toilets provide a VIP experience while supporting more users per hour than traditional units.
• Construction companies: To complete projects with minimal disruption, leaders look for durable, low-maintenance vacuum units that can handle high usage.
• Local government authorities: Municipalities must deploy sanitation solutions quickly after disasters or handle overflow during public events, and vacuum toilets help satisfy those needs.
• Private government contractors: Companies that handle transportation, housing, and construction require sanitation services for employees and people in their care.

Vacuum Toilets: Benefits for PROs and Customers

With suction flushing away waste immediately, there is virtually no odor, which is a huge crowd-pleaser. Eliminating the smell means customers believe the units are cleaner. The environmental benefits also appeal to specific audiences, especially those in areas facing water shortages or issues with waste disposal services.

For PROs, the closed system provides a bit more flexibility when placing the units and can lower the amount of services, reducing operational costs. Offering vacuum toilets can also give you a competitive edge for premium clients.

Get Started with Vacuum Toilet Systems

Integrating vacuum toilet systems into your portable restroom operations is a big step, but it could help you meet your customers’ needs and stand out in your service area. While the initial costs are higher than those of a traditional porta potty, the return on investment can pay off in long-term savings and higher sales. Research your market and this technology to see if adding vacuum toilet systems can benefit your business and clients.

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