Who We Are
About Us
Our History and Mission
Western Sanitation began in 2023 during the Ohio Creek wildfire. We provided critical fast-response services for the United States Forest Service. This high-stakes start defined our company DNA. We are a family-owned business built on reliability and professional service for the community. Our foundation rests on world-class hygiene and environmental stewardship.
Owner Phil Kern leads our team with a Master’s in Environmental Management. He also brings extensive international experience from the water and sanitation non-profit sector.
What Sets Us Apart
The Western Sanitation Difference
We pride ourselves on being a professional partner for your site or event. We have built our reputation on the cleanest units and the fastest response times in Gunnison County.
Professional service should be seamless. We prioritize clear communication and maintain an accessible office staff. We also provide modern digital billing for all our clients.
OUR Clients
Who We Serve Today
While our roots are in emergency response, we now support the ongoing development of our home. Western Sanitation provides specialized solutions for construction sites and local non-profits.
We also serve a wide variety of events throughout Gunnison County. Whether you manage a large project or a local gathering, we bring the same expertise to every job.
OWNER PROFILE
Meet the Owner
Phil lives right here in the Gunnison Valley with his wife, local business owner Sarah Hausdoerffer. When Phil isn't managing Western Sanitation’s daily operations, he, Sarah, and their kids are usually taking full advantage of everything the valley has to offer.
Whether they are chasing fresh powder on their snowboards, exploring local trails with the family dogs, or simply hanging out and soaking up the outdoors, community and family are at the heart of everything they do.
Coverage Area
Service Areas
Gunnison
Crested Butte
Taylor Resivor
Blue Mesa Resivor
Lake City
Pitkin
Sargents
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We recommend providing at least 1 portable toilet unit per 50 people. For multiple-day events or gatherings where food and alcohol are served, you may want to increase this number or add additional services to prevent long lines and keep the units clean.
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To ensure a clean and sanitary environment for your crew, we follow the ANSI/PSAI Z4.3 industry sanitation standard. According to ANSI guidelines, jobsites operating on a standard 40-hour work week with a once-a-week service schedule should provide at least 1 portable toilet per 10 workers.
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OSHA requires portable toilets to be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. The industry standard is to service units at least once a week. However, if you are relying on the strict OSHA minimum of 1 toilet for 10 workers, that unit will likely need to be serviced at least twice a week to remain sanitary.
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We offer standard portable toilets, ADA-compliant (American Disabilities Act) units, and upscale double-stall restroom trailers.
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We recommend booking at least a week or two in advance, especially during our busy peak seasons. However, we always do our best to accommodate short-notice or emergency requests whenever our route schedule allows!
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We can place units almost anywhere on flat, stable ground. However, they need to be placed within 20 to 25 feet of a hard surface where our service truck can park. This ensures our team can safely and properly reach the unit with our vacuum hoses for routine servicing.
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Not at all! As long as you provide clear placement instructions when you book (or mark the exact spot with a stake or cone) and the area is easily accessible, our drivers can drop off the units while you are away.
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While they are temporary restrooms, we take pride in keeping our units as fresh as possible. All units are thoroughly cleaned, deodorized, and properly vented. Adhering to the proper ratio of people-to-toilets and keeping up with regular, scheduled servicing ensures odors are kept to an absolute minimum.
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Perfect for weddings, black-tie functions, and upscale private events, our double-stall trailers feature two separate locking restrooms. Each side comes equipped with a sink, running water, a flushing toilet, a mirror, interior and exterior lighting, and electrical outlets.
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Yes! Our standalone handwashing stations are a great addition for events with food and beverages. They come fully stocked with anti-bacterial soap, paper towels, a built-in sink, and a hygienic foot press to activate the water flow.
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Yes, we provide 20-yard and 30-yard roll-off waste containers for both short-term and long-term rentals. Our 20-yard containers are great for medium projects or heavy concrete/rock debris, while the 30-yard containers handle larger volumes for commercial construction and big cleanouts.
Quick Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
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You can reserve your rental directly through the rental form on our website! If you have additional questions, feel free to call us at 970-710-0363 or email us at rentals@westernsanitation.com.
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Disposing of unauthorized items can result in a failed dump inspection and a $150 fee. Prohibited items include electronic waste, vehicle batteries, motor oil, paint, anti-freeze, and asbestos (unless approved by a special permit). Items such as tires, mattresses, and appliances containing Freon are not allowed without prior approval from our team.
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Yes, there is a strict weight limit of 7 tons per container. If a dump ticket exceeds this limit, an overweight fee of $100 per ton will be added to your invoice
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Please ensure your container is accessible on scheduled service days. If our driver arrives and is unable to service the rental unit because it is blocked, an Unserviceable Unit fee of $100 to $300 (depending on location and drive time) will replace the haul fee.
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We offer 20-yard and 30-yard containers. A 20-yard container is great for mid-sized remodels, heavy yard waste, or roofing projects. A 30-yard container is best for major commercial construction, whole-home cleanouts, or large demolition jobs.
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Our drivers are incredibly careful during delivery and pickup, but the heavy steel wheels of a roll-off container can sometimes leave marks or scratches on concrete or asphalt. We highly recommend placing a few pieces of thick plywood down on your driveway beforehand for the dumpster to rest on and protect the surface.
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If you are placing the dumpster entirely on your private property (like a driveway or a private yard), you generally do not need a permit. However, if the container needs to be placed on a public street, alleyway, or sidewalk, you will likely need to check with your local municipality to pull a right-of-way permit before delivery.
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As a general rule of thumb, we recommend having your residential septic tank pumped every 3 to 5 years. However, this timeline can vary depending on the size of your tank and the number of people living in your household. Regular pump-outs are essential for removing sludge buildup, preventing backups, and extending the life of your drain field.
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We highly recommend scheduling a full system inspection if you are buying or selling a property. It's also a smart idea to call us for an inspection if you haven't had your system checked in several years, or to establish a baseline for your maintenance schedule. Routine inspections help catch minor issues before they turn into costly repairs.
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If your system is struggling or failing, you might notice slow-draining sinks and bathtubs, gurgling sounds coming from your plumbing, unpleasant sewage odors in your home or yard, or unusually lush, green patches of grass and standing water near your septic tank. If you experience any of these warning signs, contact us right away for a repair!
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Yes, we do! Whether you are breaking ground on a new construction project or need to completely replace an old, failing system, we handle professional septic installations. We will ensure the new system is properly sized for your property's needs and installed to meet all local health, safety, and environmental codes.
