Drinking water

[Karrie]

Hi everyone - we're very new to motorhoming, picking 1st one up next week. Could u let us know please if it is safe to drink the water or do u have to buy bottles of water all the time? Any advice would help.Thank you.

 

[rich g]

As many have said we only drink bottled water in the van,and use water from the tank boiled for tea & coffee.

 

[denisejoe]

We always use the on board tank water. As we try to get away as often as possible we rarely drain down except in winter when we go away less regularly but don't want any problems in the weather gets icy! We keep small bottles of water in the fridge to drink but filled from the tap - only keep in fridge because cold water is better than warm water!

Denise

 

[Gaston aires]

We carry three 4 pint milk bottles which steriled at home, these we fill from the drinking water tap on the aire/site. This is used for cooking and tea/coffee. The tank water is only used for washing up, washing and showers. We also have bought bottled water for drinking, we sometimes drink the site drinking water if we think it’s OK. “One-tap” aires are never OK.

Ditto
Phil

 

[ceejayt]

We have used a Nature Pure water filter in all our motorhomes - just use it for drinking and water for tea, coffee etc as it strips out any nasty tastes and also any nasties but other than that we aways use the tank water for teeth cleaning, washing up etc and don't worry about it.

You can see the filter at this link

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[denisejoe]

We have used a Nature Pure water filter in all our motorhomes - just use it for drinking and water for tea, coffee etc as it strips out any nasty tastes and also any nasties but other than that we aways use the tank water for teeth cleaning, washing up etc and don't worry about it.

You can see the filter at this link

Where do you get the replacement filters changed mine 2 years ago?

 

[thebriars]

Personally I can't see any reason not to drink the water from the tank provided:
1, The whole water system is drained down for the winter
2, Every other time before filling, the tank is drained down to empty it completely

Water already contains chlorine in it which sterilises the system. Think how long water is sat in a pipe between the water treatment works and your house.

 

[ceejayt]

Where do you get the replacement filters changed mine 2 years ago?

Need to be replaced every 12 months - you will see the flow rate drop as the filter gets used.

The UK supplier got into a load of trouble for passing off cheap cartridges as the genuine article and was terminated by the manufacturer - not sure who has the franchise now in the UK. As compensation the manufacturer supplied a refund and multiple cartridges to those affected so I have enough for the next three years I think.

 

[ceejayt]

Personally I can't see any reason not to drink the water..

Water already contains chlorine in it which sterilises the system. Think how long water is sat in a pipe between the water treatment works and your house.

I suppose a couple of points - I don't think water sits ion the pipes very long if at all although I may be wrong about that.

I feel a lot different about filling my tank particularly at some aires in France where I see them wash out their cassettes etc using the same tap.

 

[Allanm]

We have 120 litres of fresh water everytime we fill up, we drink the water from the tank.
The only time I have cleaned a tank was the 300 litre one in our RV. I’m sure it didn’t need it, but the previous owners rarely used the vehicle so I had some doubts about how long water had been left in.
We use our van all year round, the tank is filled from almost empty every couple of days or so.
Never had a problem.

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[SomeoneElse]

I feel a lot different about filling my tank particularly at some aires in France where I see them wash out their cassettes etc using the same tap.

That's the "one tap aires" I avoid like the plague.

 

[ceejayt]

That's the "one tap aires" I avoid like the plague.

That's because you can catch the plague!

The nature pure was very reassuring to have whilst we were in Morocco although we did ALSO use bottled water for brushing our teeth etc

 

[denisejoe]

That's because you can catch the plague!

The nature pure was very reassuring to have whilst we were in Morocco although we did ALSO use bottled water for brushing our teeth etc

Nature no longer give the same guarantee over the filters ability to purify the water

 

[thebriars]

I feel a lot different about filling my tank particularly at some aires in France where I see them wash out their cassettes etc using the same tap.

Yuk! I'd agree totally with that! Again I always use my own hose for that reason.

 

[GPW]

Having distilled tap water (and seen the residue) and read about plasticizers leaching into the water I'd not be drinking the water.

For cleaning teeth I'd be far more worried about what was in the toothpaste than the water LOL.

I'd also stick with (ideally newish) single big bottles of bottled water rather than small ones and keep them cool to prevent the plastic peril.

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[Baggydave]

Hi & welcome
Since having our van & travelling through most eu countries, inc Albania & Serbia, we have always used local tap water from many sources. Unless it says unportable.
Sometimes I based the decision to use or not use on water pressure, if it’s strong it’s “mains” if it’s low it might be tank.
I can’t bear the thought of all those discarded plastic bottles.

I drew the line in Scotland once when the water was positively brown. Campsite owner said it was fine & “ just the peat colouring”, it did taste fine but I just couldn’t drink it.

So far so good

 

[Hellfire]

We have always drunk water from the tank. Rarely died. Bottled water is an environmental disaster. All mains water in Europe is perfectly safe. Just follow the correct cleaning procedure. We flush the system through twice a year with Puriclean.

 

[Andysprinter]

Having had really bad gastro enteritis from drinking water from French aires we now have a Doulton water filter. Does the same job as the Nature Pure but replacement cartridges are a lot cheaper

 

[HandyAndy]

If you are filling up in the UK I wouldn't even worry about it as long as you have cleaned steri tabbed and flushed the tank before you left but if filling up abroad I'd either buy a jug or other high quality filtration device to fill individually as necessary.
Certainly wouldn't waste money on buying bottles and adding to the plastic waste this planet is suffering from.
I have even thought about adding a second electrical pump and pipe to the tank and running it through a UV and high micron filter for peace of mind but filling a Brita jug from the sink tap is a whole lot less hassle haha

 

[thebriars]

I drew the line in Scotland once when the water was positively brown. Campsite owner said it was fine & “ just the peat colouring”, it did taste fine but I just couldn’t drink it.

Why not? You could have saved yourself the price of a teabag!

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[Patricia]

I always use tap water through a Brittany filter jug. Saves buying and carrying huge bottles even in Spain and France

 

[NickB]

I take 6x numbered 2ltr pop bottles in crate, filled with fresh water.
Starting with #1 etc. the empties go in my rucksack and get filled when I'm out for the day. Rotation rotation rotation.
(12 ltrs known "FRESH" water always available.)
Keep the tank water for washing Etc.

 

[Stealaway]

I take 4 x 5ltr old Tesco water bottle filled from my tap at home and refill them when necessary while we are away. All water for coffee and tea from these is boiled any way.
We use a standard hose to fill the tank for showers and washing up when necessary from anywhere. We do use tank water to brush our teeth.

Never had a problem.

 

[GPW]

I prefer bottles water as it doesn't contain dangerous compunds of fluoride that is apt to be added 'for our teeth'. There's still a plastic leaching issue but IMO that can be minimised.

The water filters seem like a great idea as you can then use water from mountain streams etc as required, sometimes there's little springs by the roadside like this - I've seen them in Portugal draining from the forest areas.

Where are people fitting their filters in the pipework?

 

[Two on Tour]

We normally drink bottled water and water from the tank for everthing else.
If we run out and are unsure or dubious about local water then we use the Steripen Ultra that we carry with us on the van.

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[Keypresser]

Water in the uk has all the additives you need to keep tank and pipes safe. Use the tank water for tea, coffee etc as you are boiling it.
Brush your teeth with the same as your toothpaste will kill everything. Drink water from a trusted source or bottle unused cooled water from your kettle-better still, if you are abroad, boil water, cool it & bottle it. Much cheaper than filtering it and safer.

 

[Makingtrax]

Think you can see that everybody has their own ideas. The only rules we follow is:

• If you’re filling the tank from a hose, run the water through the hose first so you don’t get water in the tank that’s been standing in a warm plastic hosepipe for days or weeks.
• Empty the tank and open taps between trips so unchanged water is not standing in the tank for long.
• Sterilise the tank with citric acid once a year.
• Filter the water with a Brita jug.

 

[ianthebuilder]

As soon as I fished the dead pigeons out of my tank,, the water tasted fine!!

 

[Steve494]

Hi Karrie,
Welcome to the group.

As you can see, lots of different answers.

Just thought I’d add a lazy persons perspective.
I never drain the tank and I never sterelise the tank however, we don’t drink the water. We fill two or three 5ltr water bottles from the home tap and take them with us. We reuse the same bottles and are still using the original bottles so I don’t wear the plastic antichrist label (in this case)

If abroad or away for a long time we would refill the bottles from a drinking water tap or hose but personally I would always run the tap first and I would never let the tap or hose physically touch our bottles. As others have said someone previously could have washed out their toilet cassette with the same tap or hose.

Seeing as you are a newbie and I apologise if you are already aware but the hot water tank should be drained down before any frost each year. The reason being is that if the water inside freezes then it could mean a VERY expensive repair or replacement.
Having said that, I forget to do it every other year and haven’t had a problem yet but I do accept I’ve probably been lucky.

 

[bfb]

Personally I don't drink water, have you seen what fish do in it!
But on a serious note have never cleaned my tank out. Just flush the system occasionaly and have never had a stomach upset. A few germs never hurt anybody and isn't it noticeable about all the people who have problems and illnesses nowadays. I've drunk from streams, made tea by boiling snow(not the yellow kind) and eaten things during survival that would make most people wince and I'm still alive. If you believe what the anti-bac manufacturers say then you could end up a Hypochondriac. Sensible cautions is enough unless your body has been deprived of germs all it's life and not built up a resistance. My dog drinks out of muddy puddles and ignores his freshwater bowl. There must be something there!

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[Makingtrax]

Personally I don't drink water, have you seen what fish do in it!
But on a serious note have never cleaned my tank out. Just flush the system occasionaly and have never had a stomach upset. A few germs never hurt anybody and isn't it noticeable about all the people who have problems and illnesses nowadays. I've drunk from streams, made tea by boiling snow(not the yellow kind) and eaten things during survival that would make most people wince and I'm still alive. If you believe what the anti-bac manufacturers say then you could end up a Hypochondriac. Sensible cautions is enough unless your body has been deprived of germs all it's life and not built up a resistance. My dog drinks out of muddy puddles and ignores his freshwater bowl. There must be something there!

Germs build up resistance and for youngsters it’s crucial. Lots of evidence that in the first 5 years of life the more viruses and bacteria kids are exposed to, the better their immune system develops and the less chance of them developing serious diseases in later life.

For older people it’s not that simple. Their immune system is declining and what might be a breeze for a child to throw off can cause complications in a pensioner.

The bottom line is that everybody has a different approach to risk and that’s why the advice on here ranges from the extra cautious to forget it and just enjoy yourself. At the end of the day, you have to go with what suits you as a person.