Feeling Blue: What is That Blue Liquid in a Porta Potty Anyway?
According to the Portable Sanitation Association International, portable restrooms save around 125 million gallons of fresh water every day. This is because you do not have to flush the restroom every time it is used. However, since the waste is not being flushed away, portable restroom providers need to take a proactive approach to managing potentially unpleasant smells.
If you have ever dared to peek inside a portable restroom you may have noticed a blue liquid in the bottom of the tank. What is that blue liquid in a porta potty?
It actually has a very specific purpose. Since a working septic or sewer system is not always available, portable toilets have to find some other way to make foul-smelling waste tolerable for a somewhat prolonged amount of time. The blue liquid you find in the bottom of a portable toilet is a really, really powerful deodorizer with disinfectant properties meant to help combat the smells that are produced in a portable restroom. Portable restroom providers add that blue liquid to keep the restrooms smelling fresh over time.
In the past, formaldehyde was the deodorizer of choice. While formaldehyde-based deodorizers are still used in some circumstances, they have largely given way to more biodegradable and environmentally friendly formulas. The “greener” approach is to introduce beneficial enzymes and microbes that feed on odor-causing bacteria. There are even some biological additives that can speed up the decomposition of organic matter, including toilet paper, which means that tanks do not need to be emptied as often.
Be sure to say thank you to the underrated blue liquid that is hard at work to make your restroom experience as pleasant and environmentally friendly as possible. If you are interested in learning more about that not so mysterious blue liquid or anything else related to portable toilets and how to rent them for your next construction site or event, contact your Honey Bucket professional today at 800-444-2371.