Do you need to upgrade or design a port with state-of-the-art public toilets?
Whether you are dealing with a marina, a cruise terminal, or a ferry pier, we at SANO2 – a brand of Prefabbricati Santerno specialising in self-cleaning public toilets ‒ are ready to support you in the design process and in selecting the most suitable toilet solution for your specific context.
A port area is a place defined by departures, waiting times and arrivals. Some people arrive after several hours of travel and immediately look for a clean restroom; others are accompanied by children or elderly people. Some others are preparing to board with luggage, equipment and limited time. In this setting, what is important is not just the presence of toilet facilities that matters, but also their quality: for people’s well-being, for the perception of the place and for the overall standard of hospitality.
A GUIDE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF PUBLIC TOILETS IN PORT AREAS
Public toilets in port areas: what is their real value?
In port areas, public toilets are among the services that most strongly determine people’s perception of the location. Those arriving after a long journey or a cruise want to immediately find a clean, well-maintained and accessible environment. Those waiting for a ferry need a restroom that is quick to access and easy to identify. In marinas, instead, expectations shift again, as restrooms become part of a broader experience where comfort, cleanliness, continuity of service and adequate equipments are essential. When public toilets are well designed, port areas are more welcoming: people find their way more easily, are more willing to stop and use the space with greater peace of mind. Conversely, facilities that are lacking, poorly maintained or frequently out of service can cause immediate discomfort, complaints and a negative perception that extends to the whole area.
What characteristics should public toilets in port areas have?
In coastal environment, public restrooms must meet both technical requirements related to location and climate, as well as the concrete needs of users. The first key requirement is durability. In a maritime setting, materials and components must be able to withstand salinity, humidity and corrosion. At SANO2 we are well aware of this: protecting our products over time while preserving their aesthetic and functional quality is essential. Another important factor is the possibility of installing facilities in technically challenging areas, where connections to water supply or sewage system may be difficult or even impossible.
In such cases, we provide solutions specifically designed for the installation context, suitable for both self-cleaning units and S0 standalone configurations. This makes it possible to place public restrooms close to high-traffic routes and ensure reliability even in harder-to-service areas. For people, usability is an essential aspect. Public restrooms in port areas must be intuitive and easy to use even for international visitors. For this reason, multilingual display and instructions are integrated into our facilities, ensuring an immediate and straightforward user experience for tourists, travellers and workers alike. Usability also involves interior space and comfort. In port areas people often carry luggage, backpacks, strollers or nautical equipment.
This makes it essential to design spaces with tailored criteria, including clear circulation paths, adequate manoeuvring areas, support surfaces, grab bars and dedicated features. Moreover, a truly accessible restroom must be inclusive: not only compliant with accessibility standards, but also capable of providing all users with a sense of safety, autonomy, cleanliness and reliability.
Thermal comfort is another important factor. In maritime environments, especially during warmer seasons, entering an enclosed or overheated toilet can significantly worsen the user experience. For this reason, our facilities can be also equipped with air conditioning ‒ particularly valuable in those contexts where environmental comfort makes a real difference.
Which SANO2 self-cleaning solutions should be chosen in relation to different port areas?
- S5 technology: top-of-the-range for marinas
Public toilets in marinas, where yachts and recreational boats dock, must accommodate longer stays and higher user expectations. Here, comfort is not an extra ‒ it is part of the service. Our S5 series is the ideal solution when cutting-edge technology, continuity of service, maximum hygiene level and high perceived quality are required. In addition to automatic sanitisation of all surfaces, this technology integrates the SCRUBBER® shifting device, which helps keeping the floor dry and free of debris, ensuring optimal conditions at all times.
- S4 technology: premium performance for cruise terminals
In ports serving cruise ships, user flows can become extremely intense over short periods. Passengers disembark and quickly need clearly identifiable and readily available public toilets without unnecessary waiting times. The Series 4 is the ideal choice in these contexts: it ensures excellent performances in high-footfall scenarios and integrates the SLEDTECH® device for the automatic washing, sanitisation and drying of all surfaces around the toilet bowl. This technology is designed to handle fluctuating demand while maintaining high standards of cleanliness.
- S3 technology: smart solution for ferry terminals
In ferry terminals, the priority is often to provide an intuitive and reliable service. Users typically have limited time, may be carrying luggage and need restrooms that are easy to find and simple to use. The S3 series is recommended for medium-to-low footfall contexts or as a complementary solution to existing facilities. After each use, the EASYTECH® system activates an automatic washing and toilet bowl sanitisation cycle. It offers a concrete response to ensure a good level of automation with an essential plant.
Everything depends on the type of port and how people use it. At SANO2 we guide you towards the solution that best fits your specific context.
Can I customise SANO2 public toilets with equipments dedicated to the people who use the port?
Yes, at SANO2 we consider customisation one of the key strengths of this type of project. In port areas, public toilets can become part of broader and highly functional service system. Alongside the main unit—or within multi-unit configurations—it is possible to integrate features such as showers, water dispensers and even the useful foot rinse sprayers. These are particularly valuable in nautical environments: ideal for rinsing off after returning from the quay or the beach or before boarding without bringing sand or dirt on board. We always offer a high level of flexibility in unit configuration, including the integration of shower areas and urinals. This improves flow management, enhances comfort and responds to different user needs. In particular, urinals contribute to better hygiene standards, and greater user discretion. Where required, external urinals with stainless steel partitions can also be installed. In a port environment, these details are not negligible: they transform a public restroom from a basic facility into a genuinely useful service.
Costs of public restrooms in port areas: what influences them and how to get a SANO2 quote?
At SANO2 we start from the specific context of your project: type of port, user volume, length of stay, seasonality, exposure to maritime conditions, additional features and management objectives. Based on this, we develop the most suitable solution: single or multi-unit configuration, with or without showers, with urinals, air-conditioning, and varying levels of performance depending on user profiles. If you are planning a redevelopment project or designing a new port from scratch and want to provide public restrooms that truly enhance the user experience – the best next step is a dedicated consultation. Fill out the form at the bottom of the page and choose SANO2.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about SANO2 public toilets
What kinds of facilities and types of toilets can you provide?
We understand that each context has specific needs and requires bespoke solutions. That is why our range includes:
- Public Toilets that can be integrated into existing premises, ensuring maximum adaptability to the available space.
- Freestanding outdoor structures
- Off-grid Public Toilets, when sewer, water and electricity are not available
Our solutions are designed to meet every requirement: whether you need several toilets in a single room or individual toilets, at SANO2 we have the ideal project for your space.
Once you have defined the structure, choose the most suitable type of toilet: off-grid, traditional or self-cleaning, at SANO2 you will find each of these solutions and all the support you need.
I do not have sewage, water or electricity network. Can you provide me with off-grid public toilets?
Absolutely! Our S0 range of off-grid toilets is designed for areas that are far from water, sewerage and electricity networks. SANO2’s Bathroom Zero allows you to install a prefabricated toilet, accessible to disabled users, more durable than a chemical toilet and more versatile than a traditional bathroom. Bathroom Zero has a waste water tank to compensate for the lack of a sewer connection, a water storage tank connected to a rainwater collection system, and two photovoltaic panels to generate the electricity needed to light the facility. Off-grid solutions are highly valued by users for their added value as eco-friendly and sustainable restrooms.
When it comes to materials, fittings and finishes, you are spoilt for choice! Visit the design page of our projects!
With what kind of access can I setup the toilets?
Toilets access systems depend on customers and area of installation requirements, which is why we offer several options.
Access can be free or paid, coin-operated or contactless with Nayax readers (you decide how much to set!).
Again, you can choose the access system equipping the facilities with QR code or tax code reader or a EuroKey.
Do you want to buy a public toilet privately or do you want to respond to a public tender with your toilet project?
Whether you want to buy a public toilet as a private individual or you need a project for a tender, perhaps as a construction company, architect or town hall technician, at SANO2 we design public toilets of all kinds, from off-grid ones to self-cleaning models.
As a global company, one of our main values is respect for the installation context, the regulations in each country, and, above all, respect for the customers’ needs.
Tell us about your project, SANO2 will come to you and find solutions for all your needs.
Do you build Accessible Toilets for disabled users? Can I choose how to equip them?
At SANO2 we design, build and install Accessible Toilet And Unisex Toilet. Accessibility is a core value for us and has always been a part of our offering. As an international company, when we design and build toilets for people with disabilities, we always meticulously comply with regulations in force: each country has its own dimensions, equipment, access and measures specifically designed for safe use by people with reduced mobility.
Our public toilets are fully customisable, you choose the layout. For example, we can include instructions in Braille or record voice commands in the toilet, we can install the hand shower next to the toilet or include SOS buttons easily accessible from the toilet bowl.
You can rely on our experience in this industry and our knowledge of public toilet regulations for disabled users.
Can I get a maintenance contract for my toilet? How do you manage public toilets?
Of course you can! We guarantee our self-cleaning toilets maintenance through our All In service, which is an integral part of our offer. In addition, we can offer a variety of maintenance packages on request, depending on your specific needs.
Our All In maintenance service includes:
- Routine maintenance: cleaning and replenishment of consumables, typically scheduled twice a month
- Predictive maintenance: thanks to our powerful remote control tool we can intervene before components failure, reducing the time the toilet is inefficient.
- Technical maintenance: carried out by specialised technicians, it involves checking all the automatisms, usually scheduled once a month.
- Telephone assistance service: active on working days, we provide assistance and intervene remotelyon the units, solving most of the problems.
Do you have a warranty for your products? For how many years?
Yes, all our toilets are covered by a warranty. By law, the warranty on manufacturing defects is one year, but at SANO2 we have decided to extend it to 2 years to give you greater peace of mind and security in your investment.