When most people see a porta potty they do not think much of it. However, these people are completely unaware of the fact that there is more to them then meets the eye. In order to bring this to their attention, we here at Afford-A-Potty would like to take a look at some interesting facts about these overlooked facilities.

#1 Long Storied History

Many people nowadays associate porta potties with the plastic boxes, this was not always the case. Before the modern version was created in the 1980’s there were many different iterations of this facility. The earliest of these date back to the 6th century BC. If you would like to learn more about the history of portable restroom facilities then check out our blog on the subject.

#2 Green Is Not Always A Good Thing

While many good things in life are green (go sign, vegetables, etc.) this is not always the case. Under normal circumstances, the water in a porta john is blue. This is due to the fact that it is the natural color of the chemical that is used to eliminate the odor in the air. However, as it mixes with urine and feces it eventually losses its color and turns green. Once the chemical turns this color it loses its ability to ward off smells. So if you ever step into a stall and smell something bad then it’s more then likely the chemicals have turned green.

#3 Vandalization Facts

Often, porta potties are the target of vandalism. From graffiti to tippings, people find ways to screw with these facilities. While these delinquents think it is all fun and games, it can lead to serious damage and lawsuits. Back in 2014, Gerald Grater and Barry Weller attempted to prank Douglas Adams III by blocking off the door to the toilet he was in. While this seemed like a fun idea at first, things took a turn for the worst when the porta john flipped over. This accident left Douglas paralyzed from the neck down. In retaliation, he sued Gerald, Barry, portable toilet manufacturer (Poly-San), and its installer. In this case, Douglas won a 5 million dollar settlement.

As you can see porta potties are a lot more interesting than they normally appear. We hope that you found this information to be informative, and if you ever need a portable restroom we hope that you will keep Afford-A-Potty in mind!