How can I remove lingering pg_toast_temp_x schemas in Azure PostgreSQL?

Based on how PostgreSQL works, those temporary toast schemas (pg_toast_temp_x) are created internally for handling temporary objects and are typically tied to a session. Under a hosted service like Azure Database for PostgreSQL, you won’t have the superuser privileges needed to drop system-created objects—even if they appear empty. Some points to consider:

• Automatic Cleanup:
  These temporary schemas are designed to be dropped automatically when the session that created them ends. If they persist, it might be because the sessions were not properly closed.

• No Superuser Privileges:
  Since the schemas are owned by the internal “azuresu” user and you are operating as pg_sql_admin (which is not superuser), you won’t be able to drop these artifacts manually from a script.

• Possible Actions:

  • End Sessions: Ensure that your application or script explicitly terminates its database connections after use. This lets PostgreSQL perform the intended cleanup.
  • Connection Pool Management: Review your connection pool settings or use connection timeouts so that unused sessions are closed in a timely fashion.
  • Contact Support: If the artifacts persist even after sessions end, then it may require intervention from Azure support since you cannot acquire the necessary privileges yourself.

There isn’t a workaround to force-delete system objects like these without superuser rights. The best approach is to ensure sessions close properly or to reach out to Azure support for further administrative cleanup if necessary.