Stinker of a job gives relief to Christchurch residents

NICOLE MATHEWSON

Last updated 05:00 06/05/2011

 

A Christchurch woman's novel business idea is helping earthquake-affected residents with a job no-one thought they would have to do before February – emptying the toilet.

Kim King, 42, established Loo Loo's Poo Removal two weeks ago to help people in the eastern suburbs empty their chemical toilets.

"I was standing in line to get my chemical toilet and I heard these people saying they'd never be able to empty them," she said.

King has taken on 12 clients within a fortnight, mostly single elderly people, but will do it fulltime if there is enough interest. Her clients include a 15-year-old girl whose parents prefer to use the portaloo outside their house "on their way to work".

The service is available for $10 in the Burwood, Shirley and Dallington areas.

King said most of her clients needed their toilets emptied only once a week.

She said the work did not bother her. "It's quite fun, meeting people and that."

Her family's Dallington home was severely damaged in the quake and they are in their sleepout until they find a rental property in Papanui.