Really Dumb Question!

Water... How we do it. ;-)

Filling up with water from service stations... Be careful of water from the Air & Water machine as I understand that the water is service station recycled and is only suitable for radiators. Sometimes the flow is also very slow which could suggest the water is from an attic cistern (Legionnaires?) A fast flow from an outside brass tap should be okay. Am I sounding paranoid here?

We use two hosepipes, one ten meters long and one only two or three meters long. Each of the pipes ends has an adapter on to fit to the tap. One end has the brass screw on and the other has the rubber push on, so I'm all nice and ready for a quick fill up without fumbling around. Also, have a brass tap handle in your pocket ready as some taps have them missing or removed for some reason. I always buy at least a tenners worth of fuel from the station if I fill up with water, it makes any disputes easier to settle.

For occasions when we cannot get van close to tap, we then use a 25 litre water container, bungy strap and shopping trolly and go for walkies. All part of the fun of Wilding me thinks. ;-) :cool:
 
Many thanks to all.

Well thank you all so much for your input. You have certainly boosted my confidence that I will be able to fill somewhere or other. I will be getting a 20 litre or so container with a filler spout (plastic suitable for eau potable only of course) so that I can fill the tank that way if necessary. Hotels, drinking fountains and cemeteries all sound a good bet to me.

As to the general question of tank cleanliness, as I said in my first post I am quite fussy what goes into my tank and consequently would never use water from taps in toilets for reasons stated by another member. Neither would I consider using stream water or any other doubtful source. Having filled my tank with water from what consider a safe source, carefully flushing my hose before using it to fill up, I use water from my van tap just as I would at home and drink it without worry. Once a year I fill my tank full, add the necessary amount of sterilising tablets, drive about a bit to slosh it around and splash over the inside of the lid of the tank too of course, and then empty. Refill with fresh, drive again to flush and empty, often doing it a second time to be sure. It's tedious but worth it. In actual fact, if you are always using safely sourced water and are using your motorhome regularly there should be no need for all this at all, but I like to be sure. I followed the same principle when I was caravanning for 22years and never came to harm. To put things into perspective, even if you haven't seen the inside of the UK water mains then I am sure all of you would have experienced the muck coming out of your taps when the pipes are disturbed for repairs. Yes, they are very dirty indeed yet our water is enviably pure except on very rare occassions. So the pipes in your motorhome are unlikely to ever get as dirty as the mains and therefore, probably perfectly safe. I think once you think about it then you realise there is no need for paranoia.

I'm glad some of you have enjoyed the Brecon Beacons. I'm just a 10 minute drive away so have never stopped overnight but I'm sure there is ample opportunity for wilding. The scenery is stunning so if you haven't tried them, give the beacons a try. You won't regret it.

Thanks again,

Martin.
 
I have always struggled to get water around England. Maybe it's me. I feel embarressed to ask for water especially if you have not used their gas station. When I do, I get only one watering can, 10litres. No problem anywhere in Europe.
 
Bylaws?

It's a funny thing... There is nothing quite so satisfying as just having filled up with a nice full tank of fresh water! LOL

I have found Cornwall to be the most difficult place to fill up, I believe they are all on water meters down there. But is it true that every town & village should have a public water tap according to some ancient bylaw?
 
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink??

As I've spent most of the last 20 years spending other peoples money as a project manager installing very fancy equipment to make sure that our mains water is fit to drink, I would like to add by tuppence worth to this thread.

Personally I'm with vwalan, If it looks OK and smells OK it probably is OK. BUT you can't taste or smell the nasty bugs. If you are fit and healthy this isn't generally a problem, but if your immune system is weak - young, old, suffering from some ailment etc, they can come and bite you with serious consequences.

A bit of background:- The UK water industry uses all sorts of fancy techniques and chemicals to clean the raw water of smells, colour and bugs, but essentially it all comes down to filtering. Yes even tiny microbes can be removed by filtering. Once the water is wholesome, to make sure that it stays fit to drink chlorine is added (EU regs get every where!) In the good old days it was simply a case of, throw a bucket of chlorine into the reservoir every now and then. Now it is much more sophisticated. Only enough chlorine is added so that there is just a trace left by the time it reaches the customers tap. Typical concentrations when the water leaves the works are 3-6 parts per million, not a lot. As the chlorine is "used up" killing off any bugs it finds as the water travels around, any serious contamination will soon "use up" all the available chlorine. This is why flushing with tap water isn't recommended.

So, and don't quote me on this, I would suggest that:-
1) Always clean water tanks at least twice a year with something like Milton (is this still used for babies bottles) or the stuff home brewers use to disinfect their kit.
2) Always flush the tank before every trip
3) Always fill up from a certified drinking water source.
4) Always use a food quality hose, not a bit of garden hose
5) Always use additives, or filter the water using carbon filters - and change them regularly.

As for bottled water.............. I'm biased but it is a very expensive way to get drinking water. I can never remember the categories but it may be simply extracted from the ground with minimal testing (tap water sources are tested daily) or even tap water with the chlorine removed. (Legal bit. The above is my opinion and should not be taken as substantiated fact)

Personally I keep forgetting to clean the tank, just top up even after several week without any use, always carry a length of garden hose and a small submersible pump so that I can fill up. I would choose a mountain stream (after walking up stream to check for dead sheep near by) over a toilet tap. Having said all that, I tend to buy bottled water outside the UK.

Enough ramblings from me,
happy wild camping free from tummy bugs!!

AyGee
 
AyGee said:
As I've spent most of the last 20 years spending other peoples money as a project manager installing very fancy equipment to make sure that our mains water is fit to drink, I would like to add by tuppence worth to this thread.

Personally I'm with vwalan, If it looks OK and smells OK it probably is OK. BUT you can't taste or smell the nasty bugs. If you are fit and healthy this isn't generally a problem, but if your immune system is weak - young, old, suffering from some ailment etc, they can come and bite you with serious consequences.

A bit of background:- The UK water industry uses all sorts of fancy techniques and chemicals to clean the raw water of smells, colour and bugs, but essentially it all comes down to filtering. Yes even tiny microbes can be removed by filtering. Once the water is wholesome, to make sure that it stays fit to drink chlorine is added (EU regs get every where!) In the good old days it was simply a case of, throw a bucket of chlorine into the reservoir every now and then. Now it is much more sophisticated. Only enough chlorine is added so that there is just a trace left by the time it reaches the customers tap. Typical concentrations when the water leaves the works are 3-6 parts per million, not a lot. As the chlorine is "used up" killing off any bugs it finds as the water travels around, any serious contamination will soon "use up" all the available chlorine. This is why flushing with tap water isn't recommended.

So, and don't quote me on this, I would suggest that:-
1) Always clean water tanks at least twice a year with something like Milton (is this still used for babies bottles) or the stuff home brewers use to disinfect their kit.
2) Always flush the tank before every trip
3) Always fill up from a certified drinking water source.
4) Always use a food quality hose, not a bit of garden hose
5) Always use additives, or filter the water using carbon filters - and change them regularly.

As for bottled water.............. I'm biased but it is a very expensive way to get drinking water. I can never remember the categories but it may be simply extracted from the ground with minimal testing (tap water sources are tested daily) or even tap water with the chlorine removed. (Legal bit. The above is my opinion and should not be taken as substantiated fact)

Personally I keep forgetting to clean the tank, just top up even after several week without any use, always carry a length of garden hose and a small submersible pump so that I can fill up. I would choose a mountain stream (after walking up stream to check for dead sheep near by) over a toilet tap. Having said all that, I tend to buy bottled water outside the UK.

Enough ramblings from me,
happy wild camping free from tummy bugs!!

AyGee
Click to expand...

Hi Aygee,

:)So in summary keep your water tank sterile but drink well down stream from dead sheep via a garden hose;)
 
hi, if you suffer with a bad stomach often .etc thenget a good filter not just carbon. i use a british berkefeld system the filter is made by doulton and is a ceramic candle with silver inlay.its filtration is to0.9 micronsand is 99.99percent active in removing bacteria. and giardia and chlorine.bilharzia and dysentery. get them from brownchurch landrover in london. as used by the world health organisations .uses a shur flow or similar pump to work. i have it as a seperate drinking system if anyone feels abit off it or water is suspect. i bought it to allow travelling through out africa and have used a few replacement elements . good for swamp and even really dirty brown water comes out clear and ready for drinking. as it is i now find water not a problem and finf even going through to gambia found drinking water not a problem. algeria tunisia also its every where if you look hard . michelin maps even tell you where to find the wells in the sahara. best adaptor here is a big old rubber push on like from an old twintub tap connection . you can get themin pound shops . fits all taps what ever shape or size. just hold it on . one of these and two foot of hose gets water even from small sinks. have fun we do ,cheers alan.also drink lots of beer and red wine whiskie etc cuts down on the water .
 
Last edited:
vwalan said:
hi, if you suffer with a bad stomach often .etc thenget a good filter not just carbon. i use a british berkefeld system the filter is made by doulton and is a ceramic candle with silver inlay.its filtration is to0.9 micronsand is 99.99percent active in removing bacteria. and giardia and chlorine.bilharzia and dysentery. get them from brownchurch landrover in london. as used by the world health organisations .uses a shur flow or similar pump to work. i have it as a seperate drinking system if anyone feels abit off it or water is suspect. i bought it to allow travelling through out africa and have used a few replacement elements . good for swamp and even really dirty brown water comes out clear and ready for drinking. as it is i now find water not a problem and finf even going through to gambia found drinking water not a problem. algeria tunisia also its every where if you look hard . michelin maps even tell you where to find the wells in the sahara. best adaptor here is a big old rubber push on like from an old twintub tap connection . you can get themin pound shops . fits all taps what ever shape or size. just hold it on . one of these and two foot of hose gets water even from small sinks. have fun we do ,cheers alan.also drink lots of beer and red wine whiskie etc cuts down on the water .
Click to expand...

Hi Alan,
Its old doom and gloom again.:) Filters are good at getting rid of bacteria but not viruses such as Hep A (150 000 people affected by Hep A every year in America) or chemical pollutants such as heavey metals. Be careful of your source, a tap in France is one thing a river in Africa is another. If animals have used it then it has their saliva, urine and faecal matter in it. All have viruses in them. Some cannot last long out the body such as HIV but many can so please filter to reduce the muck in the water but allways remember if you cannot boil it, cook it, or peel it then leave it!
I will admit to have been swimming and water skying in several jungle rivers and lakes with no ill affect but I was too young and stupid to catch much then:eek:
 
water quality

Or as my dear leader used to say - Do a H & S risk assessment. What is the risk (of the event happening) x What are the consequences (of this event happening) = O M G we are all going to die!! Then use common sense.

AyGee
 
hi .it also reduces heavy metals to a safe limit. .the idea is you lose the bacteri the viruses die. yes there is always a chance but life is full of risks . i have had just about all jabs possible even rabies . i also had alot when working in the water industry. i have had jabs for hepatitis a,b. 2 for a 3 for c. and yellow fever. the only one i havent had ic cholera as it was advised against by uk medical experts . and of course maleria is a problem. i have 6 months supply of larium tablets that are used in africa and the advice was taking them for several years would be dangerous but if you get the first effects of malaria take excessive doses to try to lessen the effect. it seems if you are going to get it you will but lariam can have adverse effects if taken over a long time. always check if going to tropical countries as there are more than one medication to suit different continents . but get a good filter and use it if you need to.
 
We have the General Ecology Nature Pure filter fitted, the manufacturers quote a particle retention of 0.1 microns nominal (0.4 absolute). I reckon that should pretty much deal with anything.

Even though it only supplies the one tap which we use for drinking and cooking water it can block up fairly quickly if the water is a bit dodgy, so I'm thinking of fitting a sediment filter to the water pump outlet to take out most of the larger particles. Trouble is I can't decide which element to choose, 10 or 20 micron - both are available as standard 10" cartridges at around £20 for 6.

AndyC
 
hi andy ,my mate bob uses one of those ,he as the same trouble . carries a few filters as spare. .with mine you can remove the filter candle and scrub it . even scrape a little of the outer ceramics away to get to unblocked filter. i do find i hardly use minre if staying in europe and just morocco. but bob is alergic to chlorine so uses his alot more . he as no probs usually in morocco or if we use mountain fonts in europe .they dont have the chlorine.but a good filter you use . its the safe way to travel. do you get new o rings for yours as well .bob keeps a stock of them just in case. the filter doesnt like sandy water in maroc though . only just lasts the 3 months there . you could try a carbon filter in line but it could restrict the flow too much. have fun .alan.
 
Never has a problem with the O rings for the Nature Pure but the new cartridges now come with a replacement 'pull chord' (the long plastic thing that keeps the two halves of the housing together).

You can get pleated washable sediment filters for standard 10" housings but they are quite a bit more expensive than the throw away type. Hmm, what to do... :confused:

AndyC
 
hi ,yes he as broke a few of the pull cords as well. they will i believe give you a couple of o rings if you are ordering new elements etc. i dont do it but i have watched him a few times . i think all of them have their bit iffy bits , i broke thumb screw on mine but it works ok. suposedly you and i can drink our own waste now, lovelly you first. are you away this winter. hopefully we shall go down and annoy taghazoute police a bit . hee hee . see the fat policeman saihede and pretend we dont know he is chief of police and call him private ,hee,hee.have fun .cheers alan
 
vwalan said:
are you away this winter. hopefully we shall go down and annoy taghazoute police a bit . hee hee . see the fat policeman saihede and pretend we dont know he is chief of police and call him private ,hee,hee.have fun .cheers alan
Click to expand...
I'm sure you'll keep the Gendarmerie Royale on their toes ;)
How is Taghazoute these days, last time we were there they seemed to have knocked half of it down in preparation for some new development I guess.

We are not away this winter but hopefully off for a long trip in Jan 2012.

AndyC
 
hi, yes alot of the outskirt buildings wer knocked down. last time i was there they were making the golf course and most of thescrub land had been filled with soil. i mean very high. .i was lucky several years ago to be invited to a display of what was going to happen there .hotels tennis courts etc. we were actually camping on the old campsite ground last time .old campsite was finished new one up the coast . we also go up the mountain behind the beach to stay on friends land. its getting a bit harder in some places to park but others become easier.suck it and see is the game. think its time to spend more trips into the desert . dakla gets very full now. we have a few ideas to go through into mali and will hav to wait and see. shame algeria is still awkward. we run through there if they dont turn us around . its just a game as you cant tell one county from another out there .been escorted back out twice.hee hee i thought we were in maroc . ha ha . will make a few notes and let you know how we get on .dont take a computer too busy sun bathing. cheers alan.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top