Toronto is moving ahead with its plan to put a new generation of public toilets on city streets, despite the dismal experience an American city had with the same conveniences.

The Toronto toilets will cost a dollar to use, and each will automatically sterilize its own floors, sinks and toilets after use. They're part of outdoor advertising company Astral Media's bid to supply Toronto with $1 billion worth of street furniture over the next 20 years.

In Seattle, however, a four-year experiment with the toilets has come to an end.

City councillor Richard J. McIver said the idea "worked out poorly for us."

Seattle bought five of the automated toilets at a cost of about $1 million US each. They were free to use. The city installed them in neighbourhoods where facilities were lacking, but it now admits the idea has become an utter disaster.

"They became habitats for drug dealers, for prostitution and other anti-social activities," said McIver.

The problems became so severe that Seattle opted out of its toilet contract early at a cost to the city of $500,000.

The toilets are now for sale on eBay for $90,000 apiece. In Toronto, however, city planning manager Kyp Perikleous says that won't happen.

"That $1 charge will deter loitering in the washrooms," he said.

If that doesn't work, the toilet will automatically call for security to remove anyone who stays longer than 15 minutes.