Filling the water tank at home

[swimmer_spe]

We used to live where we had city water. We have since moved and now draw our water for our home from a lake. It is perfectly safe and clean, however, some sediment might get through and there can be discolouration. While that doesn't bother me at home, I worry about what I put in my RV tank.

Would you suggest filling it at home or at the campground?

[Grit_dog]

mr_andyj wrote:
test your city water while you are at it. Mine has up to 500 toxins in it.

That explains alot...

[Grit_dog]

Thanks for the entertainment swimmerspee.
To answer your question, do the math. How much water you use at the house, how much sediment. Scale that to how much you're putting in the camper, roughly Therein lies your answer.

[Grit_dog]

Mike134 wrote:
I remember my first trip to the boundary waters canoe area in Minnesota.
Us city kids were stunned when the outfitter told us to drink the lake water no filter needed.

I must say we had no issues.

Boundary Waters! Good times and even better fishing!

It's ok Mike, people are just softer than they used to be. Even alot of the old ones who used to be tough...

[Boon_Docker]

mr_andyj wrote:
test your city water while you are at it. Mine has up to 500 toxins in it.

Wow, only 500!

[mr_andyj]

test your city water while you are at it. Mine has up to 500 toxins in it.

[swimmer_spe]

MNRon wrote:
Swimmer spe - I’d consider UV disinfecting and adding fluoride “treating” the water before it shows up in your tap…

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_water_supply_system

With that said, we’ve kind of taken this thread way off topic. To get back to OP, I always use an in-line filter for any water going into my 5er tank. Additionally, when we used to have a private well, I used to add a small amount of chlorine to my tank from home if it would be sitting more than a few weeks.

My home has a UV light.

[agesilaus]

Point is that if NYC is safe to draw from a lake, without any filtration, my home is safe as well. I am taking precautions to ensure that I don't have to worry about my water.

Is New York City water treated?
While NYC's water is unfiltered, it does get treated with chlorine to kill germs, fluoride to prevent cavities, orthophosphate to inhibit lead contamination from pipes, and sodium hydroxide to lessen acidity.Jul 29, 2011

So 'untreated' is an urban myth

[wildtoad]

I agree there are differences between a lake as a source, and ground water. Not my point. I have had several wells and they all have had issues overtime with various contaminants. Some started sucking sand which is really a pain unless you have a sediment filter to catch it. I have been to state parks where the water line breaks and “stuff” enters the system. When a city water main breaks one usually receives a boil water message. How many sedimentary contaminants entered the system? My main point is regardless of water source a filter is a good idea.

agesilaus wrote:

wildtoad wrote:

agesilaus wrote:
Use a in line filter on the fill hose. I assume this lake water has been checked by the county health dept. It seems to be an unusual water source.

.

Many people who live on lakes pull water from them for both irrigation and household use. To your point, having the water tested periodically is a good idea. The same holds true for the millions of households the get their drinking water from a well. One should always use a filter at CG’s regardless of the water source. Never know when a water line may break.

Well no, it is by no means the same as a well. For background, I wqent to Environmental Engineering school, was the Technical Director of a environmental laboratory. And we underwent frequent inspections by both the state DEP and the USEPA.

A well is not so easily contaminated, a lake on the other hand is open and who knows what is going into the water. Giardia and Cryptosporidium are frequently found in open water, lakes and rivers. Depending on the state DEP and laws you probably are required to have the local county come by and inspect the water source as well as test the water. And to get a permit. Frankly I'm just not familiar in detail to what inspections and what frequency those inspections would be because I've never seen an open lake used as a water source for a home. But on the other hand if the home owner is happy then who am I to complain?

[MNRon]

Swimmer spe - I’d consider UV disinfecting and adding fluoride “treating” the water before it shows up in your tap…

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_water_supply_system

With that said, we’ve kind of taken this thread way off topic. To get back to OP, I always use an in-line filter for any water going into my 5er tank. Additionally, when we used to have a private well, I used to add a small amount of chlorine to my tank from home if it would be sitting more than a few weeks.

[swimmer_spe]

agesilaus wrote:

NYC does not treat it's water. Read up on it and it will impress and surprise you.

No but it is frequently tested for 126 priority pollutants and scores of others continuously. Include E.Coli, Viruses, BOD and other biological testing. Unless the EPA has upped the test count.

Point is that if NYC is safe to draw from a lake, without any filtration, my home is safe as well. I am taking precautions to ensure that I don't have to worry about my water.

[agesilaus]

NYC does not treat it's water. Read up on it and it will impress and surprise you.

No but it is frequently tested for 126 priority pollutants and scores of others continuously. Include E.Coli, Viruses, BOD and other biological testing. Unless the EPA has upped the test count.

[swimmer_spe]

MNRon wrote:

swimmer_spe wrote:

MNRon wrote:
Used to drink water straight from lakes in BWCA in late ‘70’s (took from below surface)…but by early 2000’s it was recommended to filter it before use. Backpack filters are a pain to use, but we never got sick…which would be more of a pain.

I too am a little surprised about lake source for drinking water

Then you won't want to learn about where and how NYC gets it's water.

LOTS (most?) cities get water from lakes and rivers, but pretty sure it’s treated before it shows up in your tap. Pulling drinking water directly from surface sources is what surprised me…

NYC does not treat it's water. Read up on it and it will impress and surprise you.

My lake water is treated with 2 filters and a UV filter.

[MNRon]

swimmer_spe wrote:

MNRon wrote:
Used to drink water straight from lakes in BWCA in late ‘70’s (took from below surface)…but by early 2000’s it was recommended to filter it before use. Backpack filters are a pain to use, but we never got sick…which would be more of a pain.

I too am a little surprised about lake source for drinking water

Then you won't want to learn about where and how NYC gets it's water.

LOTS (most?) cities get water from lakes and rivers, but pretty sure it’s treated before it shows up in your tap. Pulling drinking water directly from surface sources is what surprised me…

[Gjac]

When I first bought the MH I stayed a month at Lake of the Woods in Ontario which draws its water from the bottom of the lake and was safe to drink. I had a canister filter and noticed after several weeks the water pressure was low. When I unscrewed the canister to check the filter it was loaded with a clear jelly like substance that was blocking the flow of water. I followed the plastic tube out to about 40 ft of water and dove down with my mask and saw a filter on the end of it but this stuff was still getting through. So I am glad I had the filter in the MH.

[swimmer_spe]

MNRon wrote:
Used to drink water straight from lakes in BWCA in late ‘70’s (took from below surface)…but by early 2000’s it was recommended to filter it before use. Backpack filters are a pain to use, but we never got sick…which would be more of a pain.

I too am a little surprised about lake source for drinking water

Then you won't want to learn about where and how NYC gets it's water.