Water in Mobile Toilets

The water in mobile toilets has diverse uses and discharge methods, and there have been cases of misuse or rumors.

Mobile toilets are generally composed of fecal sewage storage tanks (or fecal sewage treatment devices), floor slabs, sanitary ware, walls, washing equipment, water tanks, roofs, mobile devices, etc. Among them, the water in the water tank is mainly used for cleaning purposes such as flushing toilets and is a key part of maintaining the normal operation of mobile toilets.

In terms of sewage discharge, mobile toilets have multiple methods. Conventional water-flushing type requires connection to water supply and drainage pipes. It discharges sewage to septic tanks or municipal sewage networks through manual or automatic induction, and is suitable for environments with water supply and relatively low construction costs. Vacuum sewage discharge system uses negative pressure principles. It sucks sewage and waste into a collection container through a vacuum pump. When the sewage reaches the preset water level, the vacuum pump starts automatically. It is efficient, uses less water, and can effectively prevent sewage leakage and odor diffusion. Water-storage sewage discharge system flushes waste into a storage tank through water. When the sewage reaches the preset water level, the flushing device starts automatically. When the storage tank is full, it needs to be cleaned and replaced, and is suitable for places with sufficient water supply and convenient for cleaning. In addition, some mobile public toilets adopt biodegradation technology, which converts organic matter in sewage into harmless substances before discharge, which is environmentally friendly and can reduce environmental pollution.

However, the water in mobile toilets has also sparked controversies. There was once a case where a security guard at a mobile business hall in Yiwu, Zhejiang, reported that staff members filled桶装水 (barreled water) with green and smelly water taken from the toilet pipes and served it to customers. However, the security guard later publicly admitted his mistake, acknowledging that the video he posted due to emotional issues contained false information. The superior of the involved business hall stated that the security guard spread rumors and sought revenge out of dissatisfaction after being dismissed. This incident reminds us to remain rational when facing relevant information and avoid being misled by false information.