water quality

Lynnmor wrote:
Are you feeling lucky today?



Left is from my tank, center from hydrant, right after Camco blue filter. Water was flushed for some time before taking sample.

It should be noted that while the colored water is certainly unappetizing, it could be safe to drink. It should also be noted that while the clear/colorless water is much more appetizing, it could be deadly to drink.

It should also be noted that the EPA, that is the Feds, do not regulate campground or municipal water supplies, that is a function of State governments via the Health Department. And those regulations vary by state, so that while it may be 10 campsites that trigger regulation in Washington State, it could be 25 elsewhere. In any case, we choose not to drink or cook with campground water, regardless. We use bottled water, either from a couple carboys brought from home or jugs from the grocery stores. We only go through a couple gallons for drinking/cooking, so it's not a big deal.

Interestingly, we stayed at once fairly fancy (and large) campground once where we were handed a sheet of paper along with the campground rules, with no comments on check in, that constituted the notice required by the state that the campground water system had failed the tests for fecal coliforms two months in a row prior to our arrival and advising folks to boil the water. Had we not actually looked at the stuff in that bundle of papers, we would have simply hooked up as usual. Instead, we ran off the fresh tank for showers and stuff.

But the water there looked like the "good" sample above.

I would not use an under sink style. You should be filtering before it gets into the rig's system. Keep it out of water heater, fresh water holding tank and check valves.

Am thinking I may assemble my own under-sink system out of some 5" wall-mounted clear housings and various filters. Need to see what kind and how many.
5" housings

Another RV.net discussion of the same

If under-sink doesn't fit I'll build a small box for sitting on the ground.

Compared to the water at the last home I owned, campground water is "bottled water quality."

I tend not to worry about things that will probably never happen, like getting hit by lighting or being bitten by a shark.

Now, driving, that is a real risk to be concerned about.

Lynnmor wrote:
Are you feeling lucky today?



Left is from my tank, center from hydrant, right after Camco blue filter. Water was flushed for some time before taking sample.

We pulled into a private CG one time and found a clear plastic cup of water like that on our picnic table.
I've always wished I could have thanked that camper for the kind gesture. Kept me from contaminating my RV water system.

Are you feeling lucky today?



Left is from my tank, center from hydrant, right after Camco blue filter. Water was flushed for some time before taking sample.

They have ways of sanitizing the water when they restore service in the spring,, Same methods you use on your RV in fact.

The major problem with camp ground water is this: There is no pure water in nature, It is not possible for water, naturally, to be pure, not even rain is pure water.

And what is worse, the water where YOU are is different from the water wher I am, different mineral content, different bacterial content. Perhaps some other differences as well.

Now you are used to the water where you live, your body tolerates it and you do not have a problem... Same with me and the water where I am.

BUT.... If you come visit me, or I you.. Good chance of the body reacting to the change in water with a good case of Montezuma's Revenge.

The solution.. Well usually the solution.

A simple Activated Charcoal filter can take care of most of the diferences and make is so you will not find yourself getting frequent flyer miles on the porcelain airline. Adding and advanced filter (Brita, PUR, et-al) improves that even more.

On this coach all water runs through activated charcoal.. Then drinking water gets a Brita as well.

You can also get whole-house filters that are far more advanced than the simple one I use.

Dog Folks wrote:
When I hear of people being sick from campground water in the media, I will worry then.

Hahaha You would never hear. Most cases of food and water poisoning go unreported since the symptoms resolve in 24 hours or less. If it was so bad someone died, you might hear about it, if you are in the area to read the local news.

But I agree it is not worth worrying about, everyone can use a complete gastric dumping episode every now and then :E :R

When I hear of people being sick from campground water in the media, I will worry then.

cdevidal wrote:
What you said makes sense. On my "to buy" is an inline filter:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006IX87S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Ahh no. That only has a 100-micron filter. Hmm, I don't see any inexpensive inline filters with small enough pores. Must have to do with the volume and pressure. And there's no room for our Berkey......