How many portable toilet units do I need?

The number of portable toilet units needed for a special event fluctuates widely. It can be highly dependent on the number of people and the duration of the event – from a garden party to a community festival.

Below we have provided a couple of guides on how many portable toilets might be needed for your event. If you are unsure about how many units you might need. Please feel free to call our team, at 613-838-5500, where our team will assist you.

Portable Toilets for Small Events (less than 50 people)

Use the table below to calculate how many portable toilet units you will need for your event or function. For larger crowds please use the table below this one to accurately calculate the number of portable toilets you require.

Number of People	Recommended number of units
1 – 10 People	1 Unit
11 – 20 People	2 Units
21 – 30 People	3 Units
31 – 40 People	4 Units

Over 40 – 1 additional facility for each 10 additional people is recommended.

Portable Toilets for Large Events

Use the table below to calculate how many units you will need for your event or function. For crowds in excess of 10,000 attendees, we recommend you contact us for an estimate.

Number of People	Average Daily Hours of Event or Function
	1 hr.	2 hrs.	3 hrs.	4 hrs.	5 hrs.	6 hrs.	7 hrs.	8 hrs.	9 hrs.	10 hrs.
500	2	4	5	5	6	7	8	9	10	12
1000	4	6	7	7	8	9	11	12	12	13
1500	4	7	7	9	11	12	14	16	19	20
2000	5	7	8	12	15	16	18	21	23	25
2500	5	8	10	14	17	21	24	26	29	33
3000	6	9	13	16	20	24	26	29	33	36
3500	7	11	15	18	23	26	29	34	39	44
4000	8	14	17	22	25	30	34	38	43	48
4500	9	14	18	23	28	32	38	42	47	51
5000	10	15	20	25	30	35	40	45	50	55
5500	12	16	22	27	34	39	45	51	59	65
6000	13	17	24	30	38	44	51	60	67	74
6500	13	18	26	31	40	51	58	67	74	80
7000	14	20	27	32	43	54	62	71	80	89
7500	14	22	31	39	48	57	68	77	89	96
8000	15	24	33	45	53	62	71	83	94	100
8500	16	26	35	46	56	67	74	85	96	105
9000	17	28	38	47	57	68	77	88	98	107
9500	18	29	39	48	58	69	78	89	99	108
10000	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100	110

Portable Toilets for Public Events

An event with an attendance of 5000 people might not require 50 units. Fair, festivals and outdoor events that take place over one or two days have a moveable, temporary crowd, with peak attendance perhaps at 3000 at any one time. However, be sure to include the workers and concession staff present at the event in your estimate.

Portable Toilets for Overnight Events

Where overnight camping is in place, and people are eating three meals a day on site, requirements will be higher, and service may be needed each night.

Portable Sanitation Tips

One portable sanitation unit provides approx. two hundred (200) uses.
We recommend 1 hand wash station for roughly every 6 units.
You should have the sinks outside if possible to alleviate the line-ups.
Alcohol consumption makes a difference. Consider this when calculating number of required units.
Keep in mind most people urinate every 2-3 hours.
You may have a line-up problem during peak periods (i.e. intermissions or after a meal).
Garbage receptacles should be provided outside so that all those water bottles and aluminum cans don’t end up in the tank.
Women typically take twice as long as men, so if you have them gender labelled, take this into consideration (designate 2 out of 3 units for Ladies).

A Note About Budgets for Portable Toilets Ottawa

It’s understandable that you have budget considerations, but keep in mind that it is better to have too many units rather than too few. An emergency call-out to service your toilets in the evening may be more costly than one or two extra units for the duration of the event.

Portable Toilets for Small Events (less than 50 people)

Portable Toilets for Large Events

Portable Toilets for Public Events

Portable Toilets for Overnight Events

Portable Sanitation Tips

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