East London going potty over portaloos, tanks

While the city’s water crisis sent residents and businesses into a mad spin to secure dwindling supplies of bottled water yesterday, the portable toilet and water tank trade also went into overdrive.

East London Toilet Hire owner John Alexander, who delivered the last of his rented loos to the Daily Dispatch yesterday afternoon, said calls from businesses, factories and private residents began early yesterday morning.

JoJo tanks sales manager Aden Knickelbein said the business had been “absolutely crazy all day” and dozens of water tanks had been sold.

He said he had referred most enquiries to retailers who stock the tanks, but had sold a few off the factory floor to “desperate” clients, including a refrigeration company which required a 10000 litre tank.

“We are definitely in the right business at the moment, but of course the tanks will be empty until it rains.”

A Burmeisters Fleet Street branch staffer, who declined to be named, said stocks of JoJo tanks had sold out by the afternoon.

Ecotanks co-owner Nick Horn said the company had fielded more calls than ever before since it was established in 2004.

“There has been an influx of orders today,” he said.