A dearth of public bathrooms is more than just an inconvenience

At Mayor Tim Keller’s State of the City address, he said there are an estimated 5,000 people living on the streets in Albuquerque. For those thousands — along with other city residents — locating a public restroom can be a challenge. While there’s no shortage of proposed solutions, city officials and advocates alike say none of them are easy.

Advocates for those experiencing homelessness say it’s not just an issue of convenience — when people are forced to use the restroom outdoors it comes with increased health risks from harmful bacteria and diseases like hepatitis A and shigella .

After complaints by residents and business owners about an increase in outdoor human waste, the City Council approved $100,000 to fund a “ poop patrol ” wherein residents call 311 to dispatch city crews to clean up waste on public or private property.

But Janus Herrera of the Bernalillo County Health Equity Council said such measures equate to little more than a Band-Aid for a much deeper problem and she thinks funds should be directed toward adding public restrooms as well.

Albuquerque residents agree. At the recently concluded “ Constructive Conversations ” events hosted by the city, in each of the nine City Council districts, residents ranked more restrooms at parks — permanent or portable — as a top priority the city should undertake after housing and traffic calming measures.

The data backs up the need: Albuquerque ranks low in its number of public restrooms compared to many other cities. The Public Toilet Index details the average number of public restrooms in major cities per 100,000 people; in Albuquerque, it’s four — the national average (eight). Madison, Wisconsin, has the highest (35), while Dallas, Texas, has the lowest (one).

‘Not amenities’

Herrera said there needs to be a shift in thinking from classifying public restrooms as amenities — which the Parks & Recreation Department does on its list of city parks .

“To me, bathrooms, shade structures and drinking fountains are not amenities — they are social determinants of health and basic needs for human beings,” she said. “Parks should have them. To call a bathroom an amenity is really silly.”

Besides public libraries and community centers — with restroom facilities and staff that are sometimes overwhelmed due to demand — those living on the streets regularly look to city parks. But out of approximately 156 city parks, only 13 offer a restroom option — whether a permanent structure, portable toilet or vault toilet — like what’s commonly seen at state or national parks. In addition, most of the 13 options are located away from where those living on the streets typically congregate — namely the International District and Downtown.

Parks & Recreation officials say they’re aware of the issue, but that restroom facilities have never been a standard feature.

“We would love to see full-service, permanent restrooms in parks across the city, but there are funding and maintenance constraints,” spokesperson Emily Moore said. “Safety, sanitation and maintenance are things that we have to consider when putting in a restroom, as well as funding and staffing.”

Even so, Moore said the department “continues to consider and evaluate” park sites for new restrooms.

In 2022, Santa Fe opened a permanent public restroom near Santa Fe Plaza at a cost of $1.1 million.

Vulnerability, risks

Along with exposure to pathogens and contagious diseases, those using the restroom outdoors are also at risk of being criminally charged with violations ranging from trespassing to public exposure and even sex crimes.

“People also don’t like to watch another person going to the bathroom, and for the person who’s being watched, it’s very dehumanizing,” Herrera said. “I’ve had multiple people tell me that the worst part of living on the street is when you have to do No. 2 and you’re in a public space — because you feel inherently vulnerable and like an animal.”

Women going through their menstrual cycle face an added layer of complexity, she said.

“Because you need more time to take care of yourself and practice hygiene and you need supplies, which are not readily available,” Herrera said. “The quality of life around it is just so huge.”

Herrera said women and those with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness are also at a higher risk of urinary tract infections when facilities aren’t readily available.

Between permanent and portable

While those living on the streets have access to six nonprofit day shelters, Herrera said access isn’t always available due to lunchtime and weekend closures. One, The Rock at Noonday , closes for a week each summer to give staff time off.

Access at stores and gas stations isn’t always a panacea, either. A common prerequisite for use is a purchase — requiring funds that those experiencing homelessness generally lack. Employees also have the leeway and discretion to refuse access, even with a purchase.

“If you come in and you have a blanket and your clothes are disheveled, they would probably tell you no,” Herrera said. “You have to look a certain way or they won’t let you in at all.”

Herrera said some faith-based organizations are stepping up. The Albuquerque Friends Meeting house in Downtown’s Wells Park neighborhood opens in the evenings to allow restroom use and distribute clothing, snacks and water. Herrera said that the high demand can be overwhelming for volunteers, however.

Former City Councilor Ike Benton said he tried to find a happy medium between the most expensive permanent facilities and the least attractive portable ones and settled on the Portland Loo . But the process wasn’t easy.

“We bought it with the full intention that it was going to go Downtown on the northwest corner of Central and Third, but everybody within any distance of it did not want it and refused,” Benton said. “We thought we had an agreement amongst people who were stakeholders Downtown, but they got cold feet.”

Benton said an area near the Downtown public library was also considered.

“I finally, honestly, got frustrated with trying to find a place where it could go, and I was just doing all the legwork myself,” he said.

It was eventually placed in Old Town, just west of Don Luis Plaza. Parks & Recreation maintains the loo along with a second Old Town public restroom funded through a decades long city contract with a vendor at a cost of $45,000 every three years.

“For the tourists we will maintain bathrooms,” Herrera said. “The city should start strategically going in and putting permanent structures. It’s a basic human need for everyone — this affects us all.”

Benton purchased the used Portland Loo from the city of San Diego for $25,000, much less than what a new one costs today — between $96,000 and $200,000 depending on features.

The structures are known for their sturdiness and maintenance-friendly design with permanent sewer and water connections and features that mitigate sexual activity and drug use.

Benton said that while portable toilets are the least expensive option, it might be the best temporary solution.

“You’re privatizing it, getting on a contract with a company that does it and is fairly easy for the city to absorb,” he said. But they’re not very attractive and they’re subject to a lot more vandalism and illicit behavior.”

The post A dearth of public bathrooms is more than just an inconvenience appeared first on City Desk ABQ .