More than half of Atlanta's restrooms inaccessible to the public, study finds
More than half of publicly accessible restrooms in key areas of Atlanta are unavailable to the public, according to a new study by researchers at the Georgia State University School of Public Health. The consequences of inadequate public sanitation are more than just an inconvenience, said Assistant Professor April Ballard, who co-leads the school's Center on Health and Homelessness.
"Most people have probably been out somewhere and have been unable to find a bathroom when they've needed it at some point in their life," Ballard said. "But some people rely on that public infrastructure as their sole access point. Our cities and infrastructure should reflect the universal needs that people have."
The study, published in the journal PLOS Water, examined public restroom availability in 15 areas across Atlanta, including downtown, transit hubs, parks and neighborhoods frequented by tourists. The researchers used an expansive definition of publicly accessible restrooms that included both government-funded facilities and restrooms located in private businesses such as gas stations, restaurants and retail stores. Even with that broad definition, more than half of all facilities identified were inaccessible when audited by a team of faculty and student researchers.
The researchers visited a total of 262 locations and found that 55% had restrooms that were not open to the public, were restricted to customers only, or were locked or occupied for more than 10 minutes. The audits were conducted during normal business hours, which means actual restroom availability is likely even lower during evenings, weekends and holidays. The study also found that privately funded bathrooms were more common than government-funded bathrooms, comprising 57% and 43% of locations, respectively.
Seeking solutions and expanding access
The study has already helped inform local efforts to improve public sanitation infrastructure. In partnership with the Atlanta-based nonprofit Central Outreach and Advocacy Center, the researchers shared their preliminary findings with city leaders, who later announced the installation of 12 Throne Labs public restrooms ahead of the World Cup.
"Guided by data, cities can make real progress to improve sanitation for both visitors and residents," Ballard said. "Adequate sanitation is critical for health and well-being, as well as the dignity of our neighbors and the vibrancy of our neighborhoods."
The researchers say the findings point to several policy opportunities, including clarifying responsibility for public restroom infrastructure within municipalities, dedicating funding for maintenance and expansion, and developing sanitation standards for major events that bring large numbers of visitors to the city.
"As Atlanta continues to grow and attract major events, public restroom access should be viewed as essential infrastructure," Ballard said. "Cities that want to be healthy and welcoming must ensure people have access to clean and reliable sanitation."
Publication details
Brandie Banner Shackelford et al, Public bathrooms as public goods: Assessing availability and accessibility in Atlanta, Georgia, PLOS Water (2026). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pwat.0000574
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Citation: More than half of Atlanta's restrooms inaccessible to the public, study finds (2026, July 7) retrieved 14 July 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-07-atlanta-restrooms-inaccessible.html
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