Pure water? Any thoughts?

[Soycd]

We live in an area with particularly hard water and I'm getting a bit worried as to the effect this is having on the water system in our motorhome, particularly the boiler. Our window cleaner uses 'ultra pure water' for our windows and the results are fantastic. He no longer has to squeegee the windows, just rinses them with the pure water and leaves them to dry, no residue at all. At 3.5p a litre I'd be able to fill up the van for about £3:20 and hopefully put off some of the damage the hard water could do. I know that its not always possible to get pure water and if in a soft water area it wouldn't be needed but maybe as a damage limitation exercise it might help? BTW its suggested that you should not drink pure water, but then we never drink the water in the van even for a tea/coffee.

 

[Chipster]

What would be the solution when filling up when out and about? Would you carry a De Ionisation resin bottle and fill through that?

 

[Lenny HB]

I just descale our boiler once a year with white wine vinegar.

 

[gpat]

I think excessive deposition in your boiler will only be an issue if you use it a lot with the very hard water. Unless you use it at home then it wont be a problem will it? You will normally be refilling on the road.

Ultra pure water is fine for drinking. It just tastes flat.

Scale in kettles tends to be more of an aesthetic issue. Kettles are effected more that hot water systems because they boil for longer.

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[DDJC]

Hadn't thought of this. Good point. Our water is so hard that it can stand up on its own.
I will run a descaler through the boiler this winter.

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[Pausim]

I just descale our boiler once a year with white wine vinegar.

How much do you need and do you use it for the whole system?

 

[Soycd]

What would be the solution when filling up when out and about? Would you carry a De Ionisation resin bottle and fill through that?

I don't think I'd go that far. We have a few pure water installations close by to us, so would only use the pure water option when it's convenient. It would be more of a damage limitation exercise really, just fill up when I can. For instance I'll fill up today as we are off to Germany tomorrow but I know the area we will be in is hard water as we used to live there, unless they have a pure water facility. I'm not going to bust a gut, just fill up with pure water when I can. Incidentally filed trials have gone well!! I've been experimenting with a spray bottle of pure water on our glass shower screen and have sprayed after each shower ( I know, I'm a bit like that) and the results have been really good. No more sqeegeeing and no residue on the glass. May be I'll just invest in a proper water softener........

 

[tonka]

FYI There is a company called SPOTLESS water that has stations installed around the country where any motorhomes can fill if need be.
Do a search on Fun as there have been a couple of threads on the subject.

Personally never found it an issue in 20 years of motorhoming and we also live in a hard water area.

Ultra Pure Water Refill Locations | Spotless Water

Explore our locations map to find your nearest Spotless Water station. Access ultra-pure water for window cleaning, car detailing, and more!

www.spotlesswater.co.uk

 

[Landy Andy]

I’ve thought about filling my motorhome via my water softener at home. It should be ok as I believe the heat exchanger is stainless steel.

 

[Lenny HB]

How much do you need and do you use it for the whole system?

About 3 Lt to 10 - 12 Lt of water, fill the boiler and set to hot for a couple of hours & run it through the system.

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[Soycd]

I think excessive deposition in your boiler will only be an issue if you use it a lot with the very hard water. Unless you use it at home then it wont be a problem will it? You will normally be refilling on the road.

Ultra pure water is fine for drinking. It just tastes flat.

Scale in kettles tends to be more of an aesthetic issue. Kettles are effected more that hot water systems because they boil for longer.

I wouldn't worry about

FYI There is a company called SPOTLESS water that has stations installed around the country where any motorhomes can fill if need be.
Do a search on Fun as there have been a couple of threads on the subject.

Personally never found it an issue in 20 years of motorhoming and we also live in a hard water area.

Ultra Pure Water Refill Locations | Spotless Water

Explore our locations map to find your nearest Spotless Water station. Access ultra-pure water for window cleaning, car detailing, and more!

www.spotlesswater.co.uk

Yes thats the company local to us in Littlehampton. Thanks.

 

[Landy Andy]

Was amazed at what came out of mine when I used citric acid. Wow. Not good.

 

[kevenh]

Ultra pure water is fine for drinking. It just tastes flat.

WHAT?
I’d only just learnt that drinking pure water was bad.
Now you say it’s OK

If ALL the water we drank was pure too many minerals in our body would be leached out by the pure water.
We’re “meant” to drink water that has picked up some minerals already.
Industry needs pure demineralised water.

I expect that like most things moderation is the key.

Edit: finding a simple authoritative summary on the effects of drinking pure water was hard but here’s ultrapure water defined. Pretty industrial applications. Not drinking.

 

[PP Bear]

Another thumbs up for citric acid.

 

[kevenh]

Another thumbs up for citric acid.

I’m not drinking that

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[Diabalo]

About 3 Lt to 10 - 12 Lt of water, fill the boiler and set to hot for a couple of hours & run it through the system.

Is there a way of only putting it in the boiler or do you have to partially fill the fresh tank and pump it through to the boiler? If it goes in the fresh tank how much flushing is required to get rid of the vinegar/citric acid smell/taste?

 

[tonka]

WHAT?
I’d only just learnt that drinking pure water was bad.
Now you say it’s OK

If ALL the water we drank was pure too many minerals in our body would be leached out by the pure water.
We’re “meant” to drink water that has picked up some minerals already.
Industry needs pure demineralised water.

I expect that like most things moderation is the key.

Edit: finding a simple authoritative summary on the effects of drinking pure water was hard but here’s ultrapure water defined. Pretty industrial applications. Not drinking.

I did a bit of "googling" when i first found the Spotless water places..
In most cases motorhomes / campers use the water for Showers, washing, toilet flushing and washing up.. So no issues really.
Drinking water from the tank even after boiling to make Tea is divided, some do (me) some just dont ever..
From what i read drinking pure water in small quantities does no harm, not good long term as you say no minerals etc.
I think more people get ill when they go abroad and sample the local water.

If your wild camping or between sites the Spotless water facility gives the opportunity to obtain water and if any doubt buy bottles water for drinking.

 

[PP Bear]

I’m not drinking that

Make your hair go curly and such lovely skin.

Been using it for years, it’s very effective AND my hairs very curly

 

[PP Bear]

Is there a way of only putting it in the boiler or do you have to partially fill the fresh tank and pump it through to the boiler? If it goes in the fresh tank how much flushing is required to get rid of the vinegar/citric acid smell/taste?

Hardly any flushing is required for citric acid, it’s one of the reasons I use it.

Cant vouch for vinegar as I’d never introduce that to my fresh water system.

 

[Lenny HB]

Is there a way of only putting it in the boiler or do you have to partially fill the fresh tank and pump it through to the boiler? If it goes in the fresh tank how much flushing is required to get rid of the vinegar/citric acid smell/taste?

I drain the system down then put it in the fresh tank and pump it through.
Needs a couple of tank fulls to flush it out. I have a cheap ecofilter filter inline with the kitchen tap so it tastes OK after one flush but daughter's dog refused to drink it.

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[Lenny HB]

You need to be careful with citric acid as it eats stainless steel must not leave it in the system too long and needs a really good flushing.

I use white wine vinegar as that is what Truma used to recommend, until they bought out their own cleaner. And it's cheap 30p Lt in France always stock up when in France.

 

[Diabalo]

Never thought of that, I have a separate Nature pure filter tap in my kitchen so that should strip out any residuals.

 

[gpat]

WHAT?
I’d only just learnt that drinking pure water was bad.
Now you say it’s OK

If ALL the water we drank was pure too many minerals in our body would be leached out by the pure water.
We’re “meant” to drink water that has picked up some minerals already.
Industry needs pure demineralised water.

I expect that like most things moderation is the key.

Edit: finding a simple authoritative summary on the effects of drinking pure water was hard but here’s ultrapure water defined. Pretty industrial applications. Not drinking.

I think someone has been giving you duff information

The water in our taps, even in hard water areas contains levels of minerals in the parts per million range. There are far far more minerals in food and other drinks. Therefore the daily intake of minerals (even in hard water areas) is very small. Its not zero, but its not significant.

Therefore, unless you lived on water alone, the difference in your mineral intake between pure water and normal water is also insignificant.

As far as leaching out minerals from your body. I'm afraid the same applies. Your kidneys regulate sat levels in your bloodstream. Tap water and pure water both contain much much lower salt content than your urine so both will 'leach' or more correctly help your kidneys remove salt from your body with no significant difference

Does that make sense?

 

[kevenh]

I think someone has been giving you duff information

The water in our taps, even in hard water areas contains levels of minerals in the parts per million range. There are far far more minerals in food and other drinks. Therefore the daily intake of minerals (even in hard water areas) is very small. Its not zero, but its not significant.

Therefore, unless you lived on water alone, the difference in your mineral intake between pure water and normal water is also insignificant.

As far as leaching out minerals from your body. I'm afraid the same applies. Your kidneys regulate sat levels in your bloodstream. Tap water and pure water both contain much much lower salt content than your urine so both will 'leach' or more correctly help your kidneys remove salt from your body with no significant difference

Does that make sense?

It helps the forum a little bit; but I'd of liked to see a reference for what you've based the feedback on.
Ultrapure water has industrial applications. (My reference)
Not domestic drinking water.

At the time I looked this morning I didn't find a reliable source that explained how water absent of all minerals would strip them from someone consuming them but there are plenty of half decent ones.

I'm not too concerned as if I got some, ultrapure water will be consumed in moderation - if at all.

edit: clarity

 

[Reusables]

I'm a window cleaner and use pure water daily, although I harvest rainwater and run it through a Di vessel to clean it further.. actually down to 000 ppm on a tds meter.

If you just want to use your tap water you could just run that through a Di vessel filled with resin..this will take some of the minerals out..

Here is a picture of one of my spares...
They cost about £15 for an 11ltr tank..then you have to buy resin to fill it.

Another tip is to wash your van or cars with this water..then no need to dry it off..
Or just wash with straight rainwater.

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[Langtoftlad]

Hardly any flushing is required for citric acid, it’s one of the reasons I use it.

Can you give me idiot's instructions, please...
If I buy a bag of 'food grade' crystals how much do I put in 12 litres water.
Do you run the boiler to heat.
How long do you leave it in there?

Never done it, van is four years old & in hard water area.
TIA

 

[PP Bear]

Can you give me idiot's instructions, please...
If I buy a bag of 'food grade' crystals how much do I put in 12 litres water.
Do you run the boiler to heat.
How long do you leave it in there?

Never done it, van is four years old & in hard water area.
TIA

I usually buy a 1kg bag, boil a kettle and dilute it all and add it to my fresh water system and fill it up (136 litres). Run it through all the taps on both hot and cold settings (waters cold from both taps, as I don’t heat it with the citric in).

Leave it in for 24 hours and then run it into the grey tank via all taps and again, via both hot and cold settings. Once grey is full, I drain the remainder and then simply flush 3-4 times.

I then leave in grey tank a few hours and then just drain. I especially like the fact that the grey level sensor works again, which is very satisfying. Once all empty, I run lots of fresh through the taps once again.

Think the rinsing etc would be the same, regardless of what product you use.

Be sure to get food grade citric acid and not sure how much I would use in 12 litres, but its not an exact scienc.

 

[gpat]

It helps the forum a little bit; but I'd of liked to see a reference for what you've based the feedback on.
Ultrapure water has industrial applications. (My reference)
Not domestic drinking water.

At the time I looked this morning I didn't find a reliable source that explained how water absent of all minerals would strip them from someone consuming them but there are plenty of half decent ones.

I'm not too concerned as if I got some, ultrapure water will be consumed in moderation - if at all.

edit: clarity

My reference is that I am a chartered chemist and I have worked in the water industry for 40 years as a water scientist

 

[gpat]

It helps the forum a little bit; but I'd of liked to see a reference for what you've based the feedback on.
Ultrapure water has industrial applications. (My reference)
Not domestic drinking water.

At the time I looked this morning I didn't find a reliable source that explained how water absent of all minerals would strip them from someone consuming them but there are plenty of half decent ones.

I'm not too concerned as if I got some, ultrapure water will be consumed in moderation - if at all.

edit: clarity

I'll give you a better explanation tomorrow as well, with some real numbers

 

[Diabalo]

My reference is that I am a chartered chemist and I have worked in the water industry for 40 years as a water scientist

I don't think anyone can argue with that

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