RV and vandwellers wiki

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
water:drinking

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision 		Previous revision
water:drinking [2022/02/17 14:17]
frater_secessus added vconversation 		water:drinking [2023/07/06 17:56] (current)
frater_secessus [natural sources]
Line 3: Line 3:
 ====== water for drinking ====== ====== water for drinking ======
  
-Sourcing and storing drinking water is a major limitation for vandwellers in general and [[camping:dispersed|boondockers]] in particular.  Be ready to take advantage of water availability.+Sourcing and storing drinking water is a major limitation for vandwellers in general and [[camping:dispersed|boondockers]] in particular.   
 + 
 +===== be ready to take on water ===== 
 + 
 + 
 +Be ready to take advantage of water availability, as it may be available only at a particular time or there may be others waiting their turn.  For several reasons it is advantageous to **get in and get out quickly**. 
 + 
 +  * always be aware of potential water sources 
 +  * while filling your containers move from open container to open container with no wasted time opening/closing fill holes.  While one container is filling do the opening/closing of other containers.  
 +  * having even a short [[https://amzn.to/39CxSR1|potable water hose]] will let you fill your containers in place rather than lifting them.  Pro tip:  potable water hoses are often colored white or blue.  
 +  * carrying a longer hose (50ft or 100ft) can get you access to some sources without having to carry the water.  Or you may use a folding dolly and a hard-sided [[https://amzn.to/3LymO4A|water container]].  
 +  * 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;  less time slowing at the top, moving from container to container, and working lids.  
 + 
  
 ===== sources ===== ===== sources =====
  
 ==== water spigots ==== ==== water spigots ====
 +[[https://img.mousetrap.net/2022/IMG_20220519_094730~2.jpg|{{ https://img.mousetrap.net/2022/thumbs/IMG_20220519_094730~2.jpg}}]]
 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:
  
Line 18: Line 32:
   * cemeteries   * 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:purification|may not be drinkable as-is]]. Some spigots may be impractical for direct filling of containers, due to being low to the ground or high off the ground (see pic at right for typical high spigot).  See the Be Ready section above for workarounds.   High spigots may operate at surprisingly-high pressures; you have been warned! 
  
 **Sourcing water [[https://www.sanidumps.com/|from RV dump stations]] is possible but requires care**;  the water itself is likely potable but dump stations are prone to sewage splashing and other misuse by uninformed RVers. This means the spigots are likely contaminated.  **Sourcing water [[https://www.sanidumps.com/|from RV dump stations]] is possible but requires care**;  the water itself is likely potable but dump stations are prone to sewage splashing and other misuse by uninformed RVers. This means the spigots are likely contaminated. 
Line 29: Line 44:
 Public sources of water will often be threaded to allow the connection of [[https://www.amazon.com/Camco-50ft-TastePURE-Drinking-Water/dp/B003E1O9ZE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3|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.  Public sources of water will often be threaded to allow the connection of [[https://www.amazon.com/Camco-50ft-TastePURE-Drinking-Water/dp/B003E1O9ZE/ref=mp_s_a_1_3|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 without handles ===+==== spigots without handles ====
  
 Note that even after you get permission the clerk may not have a key for spigots with no handle.  Handles are often removed to prevent tampering (like kids turning on the spigot and leaving it on all night).  Being able to say "I have a key!" may help speed up getting that permission -- the clerk doesn't have to do anything.  Note that even after you get permission the clerk may not have a key for spigots with no handle.  Handles are often removed to prevent tampering (like kids turning on the spigot and leaving it on all night).  Being able to say "I have a key!" may help speed up getting that permission -- the clerk doesn't have to do anything. 
Line 36: Line 51:
  
 [[https://amzn.to/2QoD1jm|{{https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gitF8eNrL._AC_SX118_SY170_QL70_ML3_.jpg }}]] \\ [[https://amzn.to/2QoD1jm|{{https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gitF8eNrL._AC_SX118_SY170_QL70_ML3_.jpg }}]] \\
-Round shank handles will fit either [[https://amzn.to/2QoD1jm|12-]] or [[https://amzn.to/2QooB2n|16-point]] shanks.  It may be easiest to carry one of each - they are $1 at hardware stores. +Shanks with round/starred ends will fit either [[https://amzn.to/2QoD1jm|12-]] or [[https://amzn.to/2QooB2n|16-point]] shanks.  It may be easiest to carry one of each - they are $1 at hardware stores. 
  
 Note:  carrying these tools may be an important survival tool.  Note:  carrying these tools may be an important survival tool. 
Line 66: Line 81:
   * water fill near me   * water fill near me
  
 +==== bulk water ====
  
-Some RV service stations will sell water.  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. +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 small town water companies will have a public spigot priced (very cheaply) by the gallon.((https://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=3080&pid=37788#pid37788))+  * 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://www.cheaprvliving.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=3080&pid=37788#pid37788))  Example:  Leadville, CO. 
 +  * 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.  FIXME
  
  
  
-==== RV parks ==== 
  
-RV parks will usually sell you a water fill for a few dollars.  Check their website for details.  
  
  
Line 85: Line 102:
  
 ==== natural sources ==== ==== natural sources ====
 +
 +It may be easier to use this water for [[water:nonpotable|uses other than drinking]];  this will extend your drinking water supply.
 +
 +In a pinch you can [[water:purification|purify water]] in the field.
 +
  
 === rainfall ==== === rainfall ====
Line 111: Line 133:
   * be ever-vigilant looking for potable water, and top off the supply whenever practical   * 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   * to stretch your potable supply, use non-potable (or suspect) water for non-drinking purposes when possible
-  * do not waste drinking water.  Avoid spillage or contamination.+  * do not waste drinking water.  Avoid spillage or contamination.  Act as if you are a character in [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dune_(novel)|Dune]]. 
water/drinking.1645125456.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/02/17 14:17 by frater_secessus

Page Tools

Except where otherwise noted, content on this wiki is licensed under the following license: CC Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International

affilliate disclosure

CC Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International Donate Powered by PHP Valid HTML5 Valid CSS Driven by DokuWiki