Why You Should Rent a Holding Tank

Why You Should Rent a Holding Tank

man unloading a portable restroom off a trailer

 

Holding tanks, also known as portable waste holding tanks or black water holding tanks, are sealed compartments constructed with plastic or fiberglass. These tanks are attached to job site office trailers, and in some cases, to portable restroom or shower trailers in order to collect and hold waste until it can be disposed of properly.

Learn what holding tanks require, why you would need one, and when you should rent a holding tank along with your office trailer, portable toilet trailer, or shower trailer rental

 

Why Do You Need a Holding Tank?

Holding tanks are typically rented in conjunction with an office trailer or shower trailer. Almost all portable restroom trailers have built in wastewater holding tanks, while others need to be connected to a sewer or septic tank for proper waste disposal. Some places, such as outdoor venues or construction sites, may not have an accessible means of waste disposal. Holding tanks are required at these sites, facilitating proper waste management by flushing waste into the sealed compartment until a certified septage disposal company can remove it.

 

Portable restroom trailers offer premium design and quality. Compared to standard portable restrooms, restroom trailers typically include upscale features such as mirrors, lights, air conditioning, sinks, and more — which improve guest comfort. Restroom trailers are ideal for large public gatherings and special events that require high-end amenities such as an outdoor wedding, music festival, party, or other events.

 

Construction projects may need holding tanks for their office trailer or mobile restroom and shower trailers. For example, if a crew is working on a restroom renovation or remodel, plumbing may be temporarily unavailable — a restroom trailer is a great alternative.

The Benefits of Renting a Holding Tank

Since holding tanks are large, they’re able to hold more wastewater than stand-alone portable restrooms — which is useful if you have a lot of guests, or if the restrooms are used regularly. Their size can also extend the time between service appointments, reducing maintenance costs. What’s more, holding tanks store waste in a sealed compartment, offering a cleaner, more comfortable environment for guests.

 

You won’t have to sacrifice quality at your special event if a waste disposal solution isn’t available.

Holding Tank Requirements and Considerations

The Do’s and Don’ts of Holding Tank Rentals

When it comes to holding tank rentals you may wonder if you should install it yourself or have it installed by professionals. While you can choose to install the holding tank yourself, there are certain things you should consider.

 

  • Do plan on installing the tank so that one end (or corner) sticks out from under the trailer — this is crucial since holding tanks are pumped from the top.
  • Do give the pump truck adequate access to the tank throughout the entire day — in many cases, you may need to block off the area next to the holding tank to guarantee enough room. For example, labeling a parking spot next to the tank as “No Parking.”
  • Do plan on having more storage capacity than needed — remember, you always want to put four gallons in a five-gallon bucket, not the other way around.
  • Do plan on installing a larger tank than needed. It’s easier to begin with a larger tank, and increase the weekly pumping frequency than it is to start with a smaller tank, only to need a larger one reinstalled later.
  • Do account for drainage from stormwater around the exterior of the holding tank — if it’s empty or placed in a hole, the tank could float and possibly break, or detach from the connecting pipes which can lead to waste leakage.
  • Do keep your staff aware of water consumption. If your trailer has a running sink or commode, it will prematurely fill the holding tank which may require additional charges for extra maintenance.
  • Don’t install the holding tank on uneven ground — level ground is best.
  • Don’t bury the tank. Holding tanks should be used above ground only as they aren’t designed or manufactured strong enough to be buried underground and can collapse under pressure. Florida health codes allow holding tanks to be buried halfway up the side wall, however, this isn’t encouraged and should only be done when site conditions demand it.

Refer to the Florida Health Code for more information on holding tank requirements, permits and restrictions. At Anderson Rentals, we offer above-ground holding tank delivery, installations, maintenance, and removals to help you have a stress-free rental experience.

What Size Holding Tank Should You Rent?

At Anderson Rentals, we offer holding tanks ranging from 140 gallons to 280 gallons. The size of the holding tank you choose depends on a few factors.

 

  • The type of portable rentals you select — shower trailers create more wastewater than office trailers, causing the holding tank to fill up faster.
  • Your budget — while large holding tanks may cost more to rent upfront, they can hold more waste and, in turn, need to be serviced less frequently.
  • Event size and duration — along with affecting the amount of portable restrooms you rent, events with many people require a larger holding tank or possibly several tanks interconnected in-line to act as one large tank. Short events with fewer people, may require a smaller holding tank.

 

Your vendor will help you choose the correct size holding tank or the correct number of tanks needed based on the above considerations.

How Many Holding Tanks Will I Need For My Office Trailer?

A single office trailer with two to three staff usually needs one 300 gallon tank with twice weekly pump outs. For office or sales trailers that have many daily guests, a second tank can be added in-line for more storage. You can also connect large office trailer complexes that contain multiple restrooms to your holding tanks, and you can add multiple tanks in-line to ensure adequate wastewater storage.

How Often Does a Holding Tank Need To Be Pumped?

While holding tanks hold more waste than stand-alone portable bathrooms, they still need to be regularly maintained. Pumping frequency will depend on the size of the holding tank and number of people expected to use the portable restroom.

 

  • Construction: At construction sites, once or twice weekly service is usually sufficient. Florida state health codes require a pumping frequency on job sites at least once weekly in order to prevent a health code violation.
  • Special events: Florida state health codes require holding tanks be pumped daily in order to maintain compliance.

 

It’s typically always cheaper to have another tank added than it is, for example, to go from twice weekly pump outs to three times weekly. 

What to Look For When Renting a Holding Tank

Costs for portable restroom rentals vary according to the types of rentals you choose, and what additional products and services they require. Always look for a vendor that offers regular cleaning and maintenance to their customers. Conduct research, look at online reviews, and compare each company’s products and services to choose a vendor that provides a seamless, high-quality rental experience.

Make Anderson Rentals Your Vendor of Choice

At Anderson Rentals, we offer a range of premium, durable portable waste holding tanks and portable restroom rentals. With over 50 years of experience, we have the expertise necessary to help you find solutions to all of your portable rental needs.

Contact Anderson Rentals today for a quote and information regarding portable restroom rentals and services. Our team can assist you in choosing the correct size and service level according to your event and needs.