Where to find water whilst travelling?

[Jabstatt]

Good morning all.

We are having to move storage locations so that we will have the van over an hour from home so our pattern of taking it home before trips will change unless we naturally pass home en route. We are quite organised and use the van all year around so keep it 'in service' apart from draining water out in winter.

Our problem is going to be water. We usually take a leisurely drive to destinations via pub stops, most of which don't offer water fill ups!
Once on site, no issues at all.
Is there an easy way to find water on the road? Any 'brands' on garage that have water? Truck stops? Maybe motorway service areas??

We have never needed to look before so keen to understand what others do?

Happy to take the loo home in the car when we get back but its the outward trip I'm concerned about.

All input appreciated. Thanks.

Tony

 

[MichaelT]

Look on SFS.

Our old storage had water plus black and grey waste.

 

[Badknee]

Look on SFS.

Our old storage had water plus black and grey waste.

Ours too but most garages will have a tap somewhere. We carry a watering can which is handy if you can’t get close to a tap.

 

[Jabstatt]

Sadly no facility.

Wasn't a problem when we stored close to home but storage around here is like rocking horse Whatsit!

Tony

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Cemeteries quite often have taps and are handy for getting access with larger vehicles.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[chaser]

Ours too but most garages will have a tap somewhere. We carry a watering can which is handy if you can’t get close to a tap.

Yeah your watering can is your best friend, just nip in any garage , car wash, graveyard, market gardens, cattle market, and I have found most pubs will let you fill a watering can if not a hose.

 

[tonka]

There are these people. They offer what they call "pure water". You can pay on filling and it's just like using a petrol pump. Few pence per litre. Mainly it's used for window and car cleaning and I also understand people with fish aquariums use it. If like us you mostly use it for washing, showers, toilet flush etc then all ok. My understanding and check for yourself is although not harmful to drink but if you do have the odd cuppa it's not recommended to use for any length of time.

Self-Service Ultra Pure Water Network | SpotlessWater

Welcome to SpotlessWater! Explore how our ultra-pure water can be used for window cleaning, car detailing, solar panels and more.

www.spotlesswater.co.uk

 

[GJH]

Cemeteries quite often have taps and are handy for getting access with larger vehicles.

Be careful to obtain permission though. Otherwise it could be classed as theft.
In addition it may not be potable.

 

[Theonlysue]

The pubs pay for water so they might be happy.

 

[cyberyacht]

Check out the P4N app. The purple symbol marks places with 'extra' services such as water, dump etc.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Tiger Bear]

I too think water at a cemetery may not be potable; not only that, the tap will likely be one of the push type that time out, so only of use to fill a watering can for transfer.

With pubs, I think it would be taking the p!ss if you take more than a few litres. I discovered the other day that our pump plays up merry hell unless the tank shows at 25% full, so just a few litres for us would not do it.

Would a couple of ten litre bottles not do until you reach your first campsite? You can use them for cooking, washing, and swilling the toilet, and use bottled water for brews.

 

[activecampers]

Surprised getting water is the biggest issue?
Our fresh water lasts longer than the loo. In 95% of cases where you can empty the loo has a clean supply of drinking water. (We happily drive with full water, always have, and yes - we've weighed the van and plenty of capacity etc)

We carry a 10L water container as "spare" in the garage, useful for top up taps too.

Not sure I'd use a watering can - non water grade plastics, like watering cans and garden hoses can leach carcinogenic substances.

 

[chippie]

All water coming through pipes is potable in the uk, the question is if its a very rarely used tap how long has that water been in that particular bit of pipework, your choice if you use it.
We have found morrisons petrol stations good for an outside tap and im led to believe all motorway service stations have too supply water somewhere on the forecourt.

 

[Geistguy]

Cemeteries quite often have taps and are handy for getting access with larger vehicles.

I'm not sure about taking my van into a cemetery although I would consider filling a couple of bottles from the tap.

 

[Nanniemate]

Good morning all.

We are having to move storage locations so that we will have the van over an hour from home so our pattern of taking it home before trips will change unless we naturally pass home en route. We are quite organised and use the van all year around so keep it 'in service' apart from draining water out in winter.

Our problem is going to be water. We usually take a leisurely drive to destinations via pub stops, most of which don't offer water fill ups!
Once on site, no issues at all.
Is there an easy way to find water on the road? Any 'brands' on garage that have water? Truck stops? Maybe motorway service areas??

We have never needed to look before so keen to understand what others do?

Happy to take the loo home in the car when we get back but its the outward trip I'm concerned about.

All input appreciated. Thanks.

Tony

I've filled mine with lidl bottled water when the valve dropped att the water .

Bought the 5ltr bottles x12 I only have a 60ltr tank

filled van in their carpark and.then left the bottles for lidl to recycle they were happy to put them through their crusher

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Gaston aires]

Cemeteries quite often have taps and are handy for getting access with larger vehicles.

And it’s holy water
Phil upmetank

 

[Nanniemate]

And it’s holy water
Phil upmetank

Not if its a council run cemetery
As some of the committee may think hollier than though

 

[chaser]

All water coming through pipes is potable in the uk, the question is if its a very rarely used tap how long has that water been in that particular bit of pipework, your choice if you use it.
We have found morrisons petrol stations good for an outside tap and im led to believe all motorway service stations have too supply water somewhere on the forecourt.

How do you know that ? It might well be coming through a tap, but it could well be coming from a rat and pigeon infested tank in the belfry.

 

[pjay]

Get one of these

 

[Lenny HB]

Why not get a couple of 20 Lt plastic containers easy to fill the van with a submersible pump. That will keep you going for a couple of nights.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[fishplug]

I know some people who have bought a British Waterways key and use that to access water.

 

[suavecarve]

I'm not sure about taking my van into a cemetery although I would consider filling a couple of bottles from the tap.

I ve never had a resident complain about our usage

We use them irregularly, usually as a last resort having asked about and the French always seem to point us towards a cemetary

 

[Jabstatt]

Many thanks to all who have offered solutions.
It sounds like a pathetic problem but we like to be organised and efficient.
I'm beginning to think that Lennie's solution of two 20L containers sounds good. We can take 'our' water and already have the tech to transfer to the main tank, the Whale system.
Im not keen on a watering can but cemetery's certainly have an attraction(!).


Thanks all.

Tony

 

[B+W vanman]

Many thanks to all who have offered solutions.
It sounds like a pathetic problem but we like to be organised and efficient.
I'm beginning to think that Lennie's solution of two 20L containers sounds good. We can take 'our' water and already have the tech to transfer to the main tank, the Whale system.
Im not keen on a watering can but cemetery's certainly have an attraction(!).


Thanks all.

Tony

A cemetery is the last place I want to be…….

 

[Jabstatt]

It probably will be!

Tony

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[xsparks]

I have an app free taps.

 

[Jabstatt]

Love it.

Thanks

Tony

 

[MichaelT]

A cemetery is the last place I want to be…….

But you'll be at the dead centre of everything

 

[Bill-H]

If you had bought a Canal and River Trust key from a chandlers, and used the below map to fill with water, dump your cassette or use the washing machines, that would be extremely naughty if you didn't have a boat !

Water points | Maintaining our waterways services

Our canals, rivers and waterways are lined with thousands of water points and water taps.

canalrivertrust.org.uk

 

[Tonks]

Cemeteries quite often have taps and are handy for getting access with larger vehicles.

Cemeteries pay for their water. If you're going to take from their supply it is only right and courteous to ask first. Lots would probably be happy for you to take a 10l container's worth but might be less keen on your filling a 100l tank. Also, bear in mind that lots of church/cemeteries pipes are decades old so may contain lead...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}