Best Potable Water Sources for RV Boondocking

If you enjoy spectacular views, peaceful tranquility, and clean mountain air while you camp, there’s nothing quite like boondocking in your RV. Compared to an RV park or campground, boondocking is light years better. Yet, there are some challenges if you enjoy boondocking and having enough water is probably the biggest. That’s why having a large fresh water holding tank in your camper is so important. The larger the fresh water holding tank in your camper the better, because more water means longer stays without having to break camp to get more.

At some point, refilling your fresh water tank will be needed. Finding potable water, however, can sometimes be a challenge, especially when visiting unfamiliar areas. Water, of course, is vital. In average conditions, most people need a minimum of one quart of drinking water per day, but if you live in the desert where the air is dry, you’ll need to double that. Yet, as important as water is for survival, you also need it for washing, bathing, cleaning, and waste removal.

Caution, however, is warranted when obtaining water for your camper. Only potable water should be put in your fresh water holding tank. Sure, common sense prevails when obtaining water, but you might use water that turned out to be impure by accident. If you happen to put questionable water in your camper’s fresh water holding tank, we recommend cleaning it with the appropriate mixture of bleach and water and running it through all of your fresh water pipes and spigots. The standard bleach to water mixture is 1/4-cup of bleach for every 15 gallons of water. After, doing this, flush the tank one or two times to get rid of the bleach taste and smell in your water. So without further adieu, here are the best potable water sources for RV boondocking.

1. Gas Stations

Gas stations are excellent places to get potable water. Due to their sheer number, you’re bound to find one that offers potable water. Of course, it’s always best to buy gasoline or diesel while you are there in addition to buying a drink or two. Of all the gas stations in business today, we tend to gravitate to Maverik. Not only is Maverik gas more affordable, but most also have a dump station where you can empty the waste tanks in your camper. If you can’t find a Maverik, other options include Cabella’s and Bass Pro Shops. Both are very accommodating to recreational vehicle owners and those who travel with horses.

2. City, County, and State Parks

Public parks are often great places to get potable water. Many parks have water fountains and spigots available for park goers, picnickers, and anybody else visiting the park, including those with a truck camper. In many cases, you’ll need an extra long water hose to reach some of these spigots and you might need what is called a water bandit to draw water from spigots without standard hose threads. If you don’t have a long enough water hose, you can always use potable water containers and fill your fresh water holding tank manually using your camper’s gravity fill.

3. RV Dump Stations

When boondocking, chances are you need a dump station where you can empty your camper’s black and gray water waste tanks. The good news is that many dump stations also offer fresh water as well, but only if the spigot is clearly marked as potable. Beware: don’t rely on certain colored spigots and hoses. The colors are not standardized. For example, red spigots can mean non-potable water and sometimes potable. When in doubt, don’t use it. The best resources for finding a dump station while you are on the road include www.rvdumpsites.net and www.sanidumps.com. Their maps and listings usually state if fresh water is also offered and whether or not there’s a fee.

4. Reservoirs, Rivers, and Streams

Natural sources such as reservoirs, rivers, lakes and streams are the best places to obtain fresh water. In such cases, you’ll need to purify the water first to prevent getting sick. This can be done by either straining and boiling the water first or by using a quality water purification system such as the Guzzle H2O. Of course, gravity-fed units like those made by Berkey are great for purifying water, too. As a rule, always look for clear flowing water with plant life. Avoid large bodies of stagnant water. It goes without saying that you should never drink water from natural sources without purifying it first, even if it looks “clean.” As a matter of fact, only about 3 percent of the earth’s water is considered pure enough to drink without treatment.

5. Ranger Stations

Ranger stations are another great resource for potable water. National Park, US Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ranger stations all offer fresh water for public use. As a matter of fact, you can pretty much count on finding water at a ranger station especially in arid regions where fresh water is lacking. Campers should always observe the signage for proper use. Don’t use the spigot for things like bathing and washing dishes.

6. Fire Stations and Churches

No matter where you go in your rig, you’ll come across a fire station and a church at some point. Churches may or may not have water for public use, but a fire station always will. Fire stations will also have the latest information on the fire dangers in the area and you may even get a pointer or two on good boondocking locations in the area. Another benefit of going to either a fire station or church is that there will always be plenty of room for a large RV to pull up and park. Remember to be friendly and ask with a smile. We’ve never been turned down.

7. Campgrounds and RV Parks

When all else fails, go to a campground or an RV park to obtain fresh water. Sure, you’ll need to pay a small fee, but the cost is usually very reasonable. Just be sure to use spigots labeled as potable. And while you are there, you might want to take advantage of the other services that are offered at the campground or RV park. Some also offer electric, sewer, and garbage services. You might even be able to get in a good shower while you are there, which is always a bonus.

8. Rain Water

This source of water isn’t a readily available for RV use, but it should be mentioned since it can be used in an emergency. The cleanest water is found closest to the sky. For RV’ers, this means high in the mountains in fast-flowing streams. At lower elevations, this means fresh-fallen rainwater. Of course, you’ll need to set up some kind of funnel or tarp and some kind catchment system to capture rain runoff. Another option is to collect the water that flows off your camper’s roof.  Simply use a clean bucket, barrel, or new garbage bag to catch it.

Fresh Water Accessories

Finding good sources for potable water is one thing, you’ll also need a few accessories to not only collect the water that you find, but to also a way to store what you don’t immediately use. Here area few items that we recommend for your truck camper kit:

• Water Spigot Wrench to help you access a spigot without a handle
• Collapsible Water Hose for transferring water to a container.
• Sillcock key to access water spigots on the exterior of buildings
• Water bandit to hook your water hose to any type of spigot or sink
• 5 Gallon Storage Jug to store potable water

Final Thoughts on Water Use

Water is your most precious resource when boondocking. Use it wisely! Never leave the water running when brushing your teeth, showering, and washing dishes. To bathe, buy a water saving Oxygenics Shower Head and take “navy showers,” get wet, turn off the water, soap up, then rinse off. Use baby wipes for personal hygiene. For meals, use paper plates and plastic cups, bowls, and eating utensils that way you won’t need to use water to wash dishes. When dish washing is necessary, wash them in a small tub and save the dish water for flushing the toilet. Keep in mind that limiting the amount of fresh water you use also limits the amount of waste water that you generate, which is always a good thing when you’re camping off-grid.