Those who aren’t satisfied with the state of portable toilets scattered throughout Norfolk should soon notice some improvement.
Advertisement 2
Article content
Councilors approved a county staff recommendation at a recent council-in-committee meeting to increase the cleaning and restocking of port-a-potties from a minimum of once a week to twice a week. Also approved were four additional toilet locations being added to the 2025 tender for service and opening the permanent beach washrooms on St. George Street in Port Dover from eight months to year-round.
Final approval is required at a council meeting later this month.
“In summer I get a lot of comments about the condition of our portable toilets related to the frequency and quality of service,” said Coun. Tom Masschaele. “Sadly, I’ve become a bit of student of toilets. I’m flush with ideas.”
Norfolk now rents 57 portable toilets and eight hand wash stations for seasonal and year-round service to the public and staff in remote working locations. The county also rents about 25 units on a short-term basis for events such as Friday the 13thth and Simcoe Panorama.
Advertisement 3
Article content
The county spends about $130,000 a year on portable toilets, $105,000 for seasonal rentals and $25,000 for additional units at festivals.
“As council is aware, Norfolk has received many complaints on the level of service with the mobiles over the past few years,” said a report prepared by Bill Cridland, general manager of operations. “Staff feel usage of the units has increased since Covid as more people visit the area and use the units. Staff feel users of the units’ expectations have increased, and warmer shoulder season months have increased usage.”
The three-year contract for portable toilet servicing is ending and a new tender will soon be issued.
It will include additional toilets in the parking lot at Elmer Lewis Parkette in Port Dover year-round; a second unit added from May to November to the sporting complex in Port Dover where there are tennis and pickleball courts; and a unit in Port Rowan on the parkland on Bay Street from May to November.
Advertisement 4
Article content
In addition, cleaning will be increased from once a week to twice a week at 10 units.
Staff estimates the additional cost at about $20,000 for the increased service.
Also approved was a request from the Port Dover Board of Trade to have the permanent beach washrooms open year-round at a cost of about $28,800.
Mayor Amy Martin voted against the changes, questioning if providing toilets in downtowns is a “core service.”
“With the financial hardship our municipality and taxpayers are facing, cleaning washrooms with any more frequency than twice a week and providing them in the downtown business center is not a priority,” said Martin.
But Masschaele said the portable toilets are becoming increasingly important to those who are homeless, referring to a “gap” in units.
“People who are homeless need a place to go to the bathroom,” said Masschaele. “In that way, this is a core service.”
Article content