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water:drinking [2020/03/16 17:15] frater_secessus [spigots without handles] |
water:drinking [2022/05/20 13:25] frater_secessus [bulk water] |
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====== water for drinking ====== | ====== water for drinking ====== | ||
- | Sourcing and storing drinking water is a major limitation for vandwellers in general and [[camping: | + | Sourcing and storing drinking water is a major limitation for vandwellers in general and [[camping: |
+ | ===== be ready to take on water ===== | ||
- | ===== water spigots ===== | ||
+ | Be ready to take advantage of water availability, | ||
+ | |||
+ | * always be aware of potential water sources | ||
+ | * while filling your containers move from open container to open container with no wasted time opening/ | ||
+ | * having even a short [[https:// | ||
+ | * carrying a longer hose (50ft or 100ft) can get you access to some sources without having to carry the water. | ||
+ | * if you find or have a damaged hose, cut off a ~6ft length with the female end on it and carry it with you. It won't take up much space and can make filling from low or high spigots much easier. | ||
+ | * filling a large container is typically faster than filling several small ones of the same volume; | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== sources ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== water spigots ==== | ||
+ | [[https:// | ||
You may find it easy to ask for permission to collect some water from: | You may find it easy to ask for permission to collect some water from: | ||
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* public parks | * public parks | ||
* park visitor centers | * park visitor centers | ||
+ | * cemeteries | ||
- | Be on the lookout for spigots, and watch for signs that the water may not be for human use. | + | Be on the lookout for spigots, and watch for signs that the water [[water: |
- | Public sources of water will often be threaded to allow the connection of a potable water hose (like a garden hose but white in color) which can reduce manually carrying water back to the van. They can be found in the RV section of big box stores. | ||
- | ==== spigots | + | **Sourcing water [[https:// |
- | Note that even if you get permission | + | - Carry gloves to disconnect any connected hoses. |
+ | - Disinfect | ||
+ | - fill (pressures can be very high) | ||
+ | | ||
- | A [[https:// | + | Public sources of water will often be threaded to allow the connection of [[https:// |
- | {{https:// | + | === spigots without handles === |
+ | |||
+ | Note that even after you get permission the clerk may not have a key for spigots with no handle. | ||
+ | |||
+ | A [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[https:// | ||
+ | Round shank handles will fit either [[https://amzn.to/2QoD1jm|12-]] or [[https://amzn.to/2QooB2n|16-point]] shanks. | ||
Note: carrying these tools may be an important survival tool. | Note: carrying these tools may be an important survival tool. | ||
- | ===== non-spigot outlets ===== | ||
- | {{ https:// | + | === spigots with threaded and unthreaded outlets === |
- | Sinks and other non-threaded outlets can be tedious to extract water from. A water thief is a rubber device that slips over an outlet and offers a hose connection | + | |
+ | {{ http:// | ||
+ | Some spigots, such as the one pictured from an Arizona highway rest stop, have both threaded and unthreaded outlets. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The unthreaded outlet is wider because it is surrounded by a spring-loaded ring. Pull the ring down while the water is flowing and water is diverted to the threaded bib. When the water handle is released the ring pops back up into place. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== non-spigot outlets ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[https:// | ||
+ | Sinks and other non-threaded outlets can be tedious to extract water from. A [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Small or collapsible jugs may be easier to maneuver under sink faucets. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== commercial sources ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ https:// | ||
+ | Water kiosks usually sell water for 20c-50c/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | * water kiosk near me | ||
+ | * water vending near me | ||
+ | * ice vending near me((standalone ice kiosks often sell water)) | ||
+ | * water fill near me | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== bulk water ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Sometimes bulk water is available for a flat fee. This is economical if one can take on a lot of water, but if you need only 2 gals it could be cheaper to buy them at the gallon price elsewhere. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Some RV service stations will sell water, $5 is a common fee | ||
+ | * The famous RV Pit Stop in Quartzsite has long fill hoses and sells R/O water for 25c/gal, but you can fill your tank with filtered well water for a flat $2-$4 depending on the season. | ||
+ | * some small town water companies will have a public spigot priced (very cheaply) by the gallon or by flat rate.((https:// | ||
+ | * towns with no plumbed water tend to have very cheap bulk water (like 20 gallons for 25 cents) but the hoses are very large and may not be useful for vandwellers. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ==== campground day use areas ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Some private and public campgrounds have a "day use" fee which is much lower than the overnight rate. It might be $5-$10 for day use and $40 for overnight. | ||
+ | ==== natural sources ==== | ||
- | ===== commercial sources ===== | + | === rainfall |
- | Water kiosks usually sell water for 25c/ | + | Rainwater can be collected in clean containers unless near pollutants |
+ | Indirect rainwater (suitable for non-potable uses) can be collected in large quantities off awnings and similar structures. | ||
- | Some RV service stations will sell water. | + | === rivers |
- | Some small town water companies will have a public spigot priced (very cheaply) by the gallon.((https://www.cheaprvliving.com/ | + | Water collected from open running sources should be assumed to be biogically suspect; |
- | ===== rainfall ===== | + | Since water seeks lowest spots you might be able to see a source but not access it directly. |
- | ===== rivers and creeks ===== | + | === surface collection |
- | ===== surface collection ===== | + | Water collected in puddles or ponds is the most likely to be contaminated with pathogens or to have concentrated pollutants. |
+ | ===== conservation ===== | ||
+ | Managing the drinking water supply is paramount. | ||
+ | * be ever-vigilant looking for potable water, and top off the supply whenever practical | ||
+ | * to stretch your potable supply, use non-potable (or suspect) water for non-drinking purposes when possible | ||
+ | * do not waste drinking water. |