Cutting corners on toilet numbers to save some money might seem harmless at first, until it starts causing real problems.

Overflowing waste, poor hygiene, long queues, accessibility complaints, even compliance breaches. These are just some of the consequences that follow when there aren’t enough toilets to meet demand.

Here’s what tends to go wrong when sanitation isn’t properly planned.

Health Hazards & Hygiene Risks

When there aren’t enough toilets, hygiene is the first thing to suffer.

Without proper facilities, waste builds up faster than it can be managed. Overflow, odour, and unsanitary conditions create a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. This is apparent in high-traffic environments such as worksites, festivals, and community events.

Poor sanitation also increases the risk of cross-contamination. Without enough units or handwashing stations, people are forced to share already overused facilities. Germs spread faster, and complaints start piling up just as quickly.

If you hire with Instant Toilets & Showers, none of this has to happen. We have a large fleet of toilets, showers, urinals, and handwashing stations ready for fast dispatch. Additionally, we also have optional on-site cleaning attendants and scheduled servicing available. We’ll make sure your setup stays clean, safe, and fully supported from day one.

Legal & Compliance Implications

The Portable Toilets Code of Practice, developed by the Hire and Rental Industry Association (HRIA), outlines expected toilet-to-person ratios for worksites, events, and temporary setups. These standards are used by councils, safety inspectors, and event regulators across Australia.

Too few toilets can result in non-compliance, which puts you at risk of fines, shutdowns, or reputational damage. It’s the kind of issue that’s easy to avoid with the right planning (and hard to fix once you’re already underway).

Accessibility is another key requirement. The AS1428.1 standard covers how accessible toilets need to be built. Ignoring these requirements doesn’t just affect users, it can lead to serious consequences for your project or event.

At Instant Toilets & Showers, we take the guesswork out of it. All of our accessible units are fully AS1428.1 compliant, and we can work with you to make sure your toilet setup meets the right standards from day one.

Guest & Worker Dissatisfaction

When toilet numbers don’t stack up, the people using them will notice.

At events, long queues and unhygienic conditions frustrate guests and reflect poorly on organisers. Reviews, complaints, and negative word of mouth can do real damage, especially when attendee comfort is a key part of the experience.

On worksites, it affects productivity and morale. Workers lose time waiting or walking long distances to access facilities, and poor hygiene setups can lead to avoidable sick days. Over time, these small issues compound into delays and lower site performance.

At the end of the day, people expect the basics to be covered. And when they’re not, it’s your brand, project, or timeline that takes the hit.

Financial Consequences 

Poor toilet planning comes with unexpected costs. Once things start going wrong, those costs add up quickly.

These costs can come in the form of:

• Urgent fixes like express hire or emergency pump-outs come at a premium.
• Damage control after complaints or hygiene issues can involve extra cleaning, staff, or comped services.
• Delays on worksites or disruptions at events waste time, and time costs money.
• Permit issues or shutdowns mid-project can derail entire timelines, especially when inspections fail due to non-compliance.

All of it adds up. In most cases, the cost of doing it right the first time is significantly less than fixing it under pressure.

What’s the Right Number of Toilets?

As we mentioned previously, the right number of toilets is governed by the Portable Toilets Code of Practice, developed by the HRIA. It also states that you need to consider factors like event or shift duration, male-to-female ratios, cleaning intervals, alcohol service, food availability, and accessibility requirements.

Even things such as layout and peak-time usage can shift what’s appropriate. With that much variation, it’s always better to cater for more rather than less.

To make planning easier, we’ve built a Toilet Calculator that factors in the latest industry guidelines, including compliance standards and real-world use. It gives you a solid estimate of what your site or event will likely need, so you can stay ahead of any issues before they start.

Plan Ahead with Instant Toilets & Showers

Toilets might not be the most exciting part of your planning, but getting them wrong creates problems that are hard to ignore.

If you’re looking for portable toilets for hire in Western Australia, Instant Toilets & Showers can help you get it right from the start. We’ll make sure your setup is compliant, practical, and ready for real-world use.

Get in touch with us via our website or call us at 08 9406 6600 and we’ll work through the details with you directly.