From Iceland — Government To Respond To National Toilet Shortage

Government To Respond To National Toilet Shortage

Published May 30, 2016

Andie Sophia Fontaine
Photo by
David Shankbone/Wikimedia Commons

Those visiting Iceland’s far-flung corners may soon have a more comfortable time of it, if a plan from the Icelandic Road Administration goes through.

RÚV reports that Independence Party MP Elín Hirst believes that Iceland’s fast-growing tourism industry needs more long-term thinking. As more people visit some of Iceland’s natural treasures, the increased traffic calls for proper maintenance and facilities in place – namely, in terms of toilets.

To that end, the Icelandic Road Administration – under the advisement of the Environment and Communications Committee – hopes to set up some 60 portable toilets all around the country. However, the funding to put this plan into action is still needed.

As reported, tourism industry workers have long called for more toilets, especially at locations situated far from civilisation. The dearth of public toilets in the countryside contributed to a rash of news stories about tourists relieving themselves outdoors.

If funding is found, these toilets could be all around the country very soon. Complaints about the lack of toilets in the countryside go back at least three years.

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