City council provides relief with portable toilets in downtown Penticton

PENTICTON – Patrons of Penticton’s downtown area needing to use a restroom after hours will get a break.

Penticton will proceed with the installation of three porta potti toilets in the downtown core for the remainder of the summer season.

City staff made the appeal at the Aug. 2 council meeting, after a staff report noted an unusual increase in public urination and defecation in certain areas of the city’s downtown core, resulting in a corresponding increase in unpleasant clean up tasks.

Staff attributed the problem to a lack of washroom facilities after dusk, as the city’s public toilets are locked overnight to prevent their use as shelters.

City engineer Ian Chapman said it was hoped the portable toilets would resolve the problem.

City Coun. Helena Konanz asked why the toilets were needed now.

“We haven’t needed this before. What has changed, in your view, that is so drastic that we have to make this change in the middle of summer?”

“I really don’t know the answer but it’s quite clear based on our experience this year it is a very real issue that hasn’t arisen in previous years. But I can’t explain it,” Chapman replied.

No word yet on the specific locations for the porta potties.

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