pumping creek water

Duplicate post are not allowed. See the duplicate in Travel Trailers.

Wayne
Moderator

When I was full timing in my fiver years ago I did just this during the President's Day floods of 1992 in Silverado Canyon in So California. I was trapped in a canyon for 5 days and happened to have a spare water pump (12v) and a length of hose and all the fittings. I used a sock as a filter at the end of the hose pulling from the creek, filled up my tanks, showered and did laundry (stack-able Kenmore unit)with it. I did NOT drink it or use it for cooking, though I did use it to wash dishes. It was clear, clean and in the end, sort of fun living semi off the grid, though I did still have electric and septic. Afterwards, I filled and sanitized the tank with bleach, etc. just like one would do after getting water from a well at a remote camp ground. No issues. good luck! :)

Dak

SteveAE wrote:
Sign Man,

I carry a spare water pump that has a length of heavy double conductor wire with a couple alligator clips on the end that I can clip onto my battery. Then I have adapters that converts the male pipe threads (of the pump) to standard hose threads. This allows a longer hose to reach the water source (be it a container that I don't feel like lifting, a bucket, or even a stream/pond) and a shorter hose to feed into the RV. As Brian said, you need to be cautious of the source, but this works well (but not fast), as long as the head height (distance you are lifting the water) isn't very great. It also gives you a spare water pump to-boot. Hope this helps.

Steve

I too carry a spare water pump and use if for transferring water I carry in on my motorcycle or other sources. It also follows my rule of redundancy of having backup for equipment I use to live off the grid/boondocking. As well as the rule of having more than one use to be brought along. You will notice is is mounted to allow a surface to work off of, as well as long (35 ft) power cord to click onto various battery banks that I have.




But, I would/will never use this pump to transfer water from a stream and or pond. I don't want "pond water" going through an important pump like this. I had plans on going the route you are considering, but elected not to because of the reasons I have described. Sometimes the simple way of doing things are the easiest. But it does look cooler to write on the face of my iPhone app for notes, than my hand or a piece of paper. My tanks are already contaminated from a well (Cousin's property that I attached to the wrong spigot to pump from)that I will be forever filtering flakes from my potable water system. Or at least until I change out the tank. For me, it is easier to just use my bucket/s. It is not like I am washing my truck and or camper with water pumped from the river/stream/lake. That is what I do during rain storms! Seriously.

Good question and topic to discuss. Thanks for bringing this up again.

+1 for just using a spare RV water pump. You could probably just feed the fresh water direct and not even fill your tank.

Sign Man,

I carry a spare water pump that has a length of heavy double conductor wire with a couple alligator clips on the end that I can clip onto my battery. Then I have adapters that converts the male pipe threads (of the pump) to standard hose threads. This allows a longer hose to reach the water source (be it a container that I don't feel like lifting, a bucket, or even a stream/pond) and a shorter hose to feed into the RV. As Brian said, you need to be cautious of the source, but this works well (but not fast), as long as the head height (distance you are lifting the water) isn't very great. It also gives you a spare water pump to-boot. Hope this helps.

Steve

duplicate thread

Then I would do as I do. Because hauling all the stuff you need to make it work, will take up space and then you need power to run it. Water Pumps take a lot of power, especially non RV pumps. They were not designed to be conservative with their amp use. Why should they? Right?

I would suggest you do as I have done, for 40+ years, buckets. There is a previous thread, but the pictures no longer are available as the host site shut down. But they are available in an upcoming article of mine in Truck Camping Magazine. But simply using two 5 gallon buckets and a pillowcase. Put the pillow case in one bucket. Dip the other bucket in the water source and pour in the pillow cased 5g bucket. Pull the pillow case out and reset in the now empty bucket and repeat process as many times as you wish. When done, turn the pillow case inside out and shake. Set out to dry and use the same side (seam side for me) for each time filtering. Funny to see the critters, like minnows/leaches caught by the pillow case filter!

You can purchase 2 solar shower bags, at Wal-Mart or Outdoor stores. Get a bucket, cut a hole the size of a bulkhead fitting (available at Hardware Stores). Take a hose, cut a section (female end) about 20 inches long. Screw it on the bucket that has water you just filtered with pillow cases. Drain content into Soar Bags to ½ full. (Full takes longer to heat) Fill up both bags. Set on lid or towel or something to keep from setting on the ground. Debris on the ground will eventually poke holes in these bags. Every once in a while shake the bags to help even out the cold and hot water. When warm, pour in the now empty bucket with the fitting.

Elevate bucket high enough to stand under it. I use a Tripod I carry with me. Or a tree branch or off your camper. Attach another 20 inch length of hose (female) to the bulkhead of the now filled heated water bucket. On the end of this additional length of hose a Flower Water Nozzle (available at Home Depot) to Shower with. Having a Petcock on the bulkhead to turn on and off the water is a benefit, as well as the nozzle.

Using the length of hose to fill the bags defeats the age old problem of filling these stupid Solar Bags and get water while on the road at filling stations and the like. My rule is always to have two uses for everything I carry on the road with me, or it does not go. The tripod? It helps gravity fill my Camper’s potable water tanks when I retrieve water for camp, on my motorcycle when I leave camp and pass by sources for potable water. Thus, I never need to move my TC. Also, the motorcycle has many uses too. Like my rule.

Have fun. Don’t see problems, see solutions!

b

the water will only be used for showers & washing dishes. i have never ever drank out of my faucets. we always bring another source such as bottled

The quick answer is, yes. Home Depot will provide that equipment.

But the question comes, why would you want to do this? There are many issues in doing this and introducing issues into your on board water tanks. Once in, you will never get it out, other than changing out your tanks. By using conservative methods, like using water from streams, lakes, ponds and irrigation will provide many non potable needs, such as showers.

If you go this route be sure to look at the pumps to insure they are for potable use (stainless steel). Many of the cheaper pumps have grease and components that are not suitable for potoable use and sometimes carcineginic. Dedicate hoses for this use, as well as other equipment specifically for potable use. It can be done and I do this myself. But I don't put this water into my potable tank.

There are many on the counter water filters that provide good clean water from these sources available too. So pumping larger quantities, hauling pumps/hoses/connections is negated by just needing a bucket or pitcher.

Also, be aware of your surroundings for a possible dead moose upstream, yep I have found this, and the rights you might be stepping on and resulting in fines and arrest. Water theft is serious in the west where it is valued more than gold.

Living off the grid is a great thing and takes work and preparation. Good luck to you.

b