Portland program will place portable toilets in public

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Portland has launched a program to distribute portable toilets in order to reduce cleanup costs and improve public health and hygiene.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Tuesday that Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler proposed the Hygiene Street Response initiative after receiving numerous complaints about human feces in public places.

Wheeler says that beyond cleanliness, bathrooms are needed to prevent outbreaks of diseases such as Hepatitis A.

The city council voted last month to provide $877,000 in funding.

Officials say the program will deploy six portable toilets in high-need areas and build mobile bathrooms and shower trailers to be given to nonprofit groups serving the homeless population.

A city report says disposal of more than 3,300 gallons of waste, without including other related fees, cost $26,480 for one year.