Mobile toilets from Throne Labs will be installed in Washington, DC to provide more accessible public restrooms in the city.
If you’ve been out and about in Washington, D.C., and had to rush to a nearby store or restaurant for a change of pace, there’s a new, more accessible option. Throne Labs’ mobile toilets will be installed throughout the city.
These toilets aren’t your run-of-the-mill porta potties; they have running water, hands-free flushing, and air conditioning.
“When it comes to restrooms, they are beautiful inside and out,” said 1st Ward Councilwoman Brianne Nadeau, who led the launch of the pilot program starting with five restrooms across the city.
This is also a high-tech toilet. WTOP investigated one of his units on 4th Street Southeast near Nationals Park in the Navy Yard.
To enter, users must scan a QR code or text the restroom number to the phone number displayed in the restroom. Once you click ‘Submit’, the door slides open and a spa-like soundtrack welcomes you into a spacious restroom with tropical décor.
Nadeau said she wants to address the need for more restroom facilities in Washington, D.C.
“The ratio of public toilets per person who needs one is very low. And there are very few shops that are open until late at night. In many cases, if you want to go to the toilet, you have to buy something at the shop. “No,” she said.
The toilet can also be accessed through the Throne Labs app. The app displays two toilets that are open in the city. The second is located in the southeastern part of Oxon Run Park.
WTOP contacted Sloan Labs, which operates the restrooms, but the Washington, D.C., Department of Public Works declined to make them available for an interview.
DPW only issued a statement to WTOP about its plans to install five restrooms.
“The Sloan Lab pilot program will begin by installing five public restrooms in high-traffic areas. Our goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or situation, has the amenities they need. To keep our city clean and accessible, we must provide clean public restrooms at all times.”
Those who took advantage of the Navy Yard location were impressed.
“I thought it was going to be a bit of a hassle,” said Kanya Smith, who lives in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
But when she used the facility, she says the exact opposite happened.
“It was actually very clean, with leaves on the walls, and a very homey feel. It’s not your typical porta potty,” Smith said.
Kevin, who lives in Oxon Hill, Maryland, said he would like to see more of them in the city.
“It felt like I was on a spaceship, but it was great. It was cool,” he said.
Nadeau said funding to continue the program is not included in Mayor Muriel Bowser’s next budget, but he hopes to find funding elsewhere.
“Even if the mayor’s budget doesn’t have it, we’re willing to identify funding for that in the City Council budget process and continue the experiment,” Nadeau told WTOP.
WTOP has reached out to the mayor’s office for comment, but has not yet received a response.
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