Campgrounds offer a great place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But, before heading out into nature, it’s important to know whether or not drinking the local tap water is safe. Some states require that campers boil their water before consuming it, while other campsites allow it unboiled.
Campgrounds are usually located near lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, ponds, and other bodies of fresh water. They also often provide showers, laundry facilities, and even restaurants.
While these amenities are convenient, they come at a cost: The local water supply isn’t always clean. In some areas, campgrounds are required to filter the water before providing it to customers.
While boiling water is recommended for camping, it’s possible to safely consume untreated water without risking illness. This guide explains why and how you should treat your drinking water during trips to the woods.
is campground water safe to drink?
Knowing if the campground has safe drinking water before heading out on your trip is important. There is no way that you want to put yourself in a position to drink unsafe water because you could get very sick.
While most do have cold running water that is safe to drink and hot water that is safe for showing etc., it’s still important to get educated on the water quality before arriving.
You don’t want to be out on the road and realize that you don’t have any drinking water in RV!
What is potable camping water?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines potable water as “water that can be used for human consumption without causing health problems.”
This means that water must meet certain standards to be considered safe. These include being free of bacteria and viruses, having no harmful chemicals, and being clear enough to see through.
However, there are exceptions. For example, water may contain high levels of minerals from an area with naturally occurring deposits. Sometimes, people intentionally add substances to the water to make it more appealing.
For instance, many bottled waters have added minerals to them. It’s common practice for companies to use natural spring water because it has fewer impurities than well water.
But, when it comes to treating water for drinking purposes, two main types of contaminants need to be removed.
These are organic compounds and microorganisms. Organic compounds are found in everything from food to household cleaners. Microorganisms are tiny organisms that cause disease. Examples of microorganisms include bacteria, protozoa, and viruses.
Organic compounds
Organic compounds comprise carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and/or sulfur. Common examples include sugars, fats, proteins, and alcohol.
When organic compounds enter our bodies, they can cause harm. For example, some organic compounds can damage cells and tissues. Others can trigger allergic reactions. Still, others can change the way the body processes nutrients.
Microorganisms
Microorganisms are microscopic living organisms. Most are single-celled organisms such as bacteria, algae, fungi, and protozoans. However, there are also multicellular organisms, including plants, animals, and humans.
Microorganisms can cause diseases by entering the body and multiplying rapidly. When they do so, they produce toxins that affect organs and systems throughout the body.
How does water become contaminated?
There are several ways that water can become contaminated.
One way is through contact with soil or vegetation. Soil contains organic matter that can leach into groundwater. Vegetation includes leaves, twigs, branches, roots, and seeds. All of these materials can carry microbes, which then contaminate nearby water sources.
Another source of contamination is animal waste. Animals defecate on land and release their wastes into waterways. Some of these wastes contain pathogens that can infect other animals and humans.
Finally, water can become contaminated through pipes or plumbing fixtures. Pipes and plumbing can develop leaks, cracks, or holes.
Water can leak out of these openings and contaminate the surrounding environment.
Is treated water available at campgrounds?
Many campgrounds offer filtered tap water. But, not all campsites provide treated water. If you plan to bring your own water, filtering it before bringing it along is a good idea.
You can buy filters at home improvement stores. Or, you can use one of the following methods to ensure that you have clean water to drink.
How To Purify Water When Camping or RVing
Remember that you can also call ahead and ask the campground if they’re connected to a city water supply or where their water comes from.
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Use an RV Water Filter
An RV water filter removes harmful particles from water. This helps protect against illness caused by parasites, bacteria, and viruses.
RV water filters remove chlorine, heavy metals, and pesticides. They also reduce the amount of sediment and debris in the water.
The best type of RV water filter depends on where you live and how much time you spend camping.
If you travel frequently, consider buying a portable water filter. These units are small enough to fit inside your vehicle. Portable units usually cost less than $100.
If you only go camping once every few months, consider purchasing a permanent system, an inline water filter. These systems typically cost more than $200 but last for years.
This means that you’ll have safe drinking water without issues no matter what RV park you’re at.
There are also external water filters that you can hook onto a hose and water spigot. These are blue filters that screw right onto the house and filter the water coming out so that it’s ready to drink or use right then and there.
Boil It
Boiling water kills most microorganisms. The process takes about 5 minutes.
To boil water:
- Fill a pot with water.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil.
- Turn off the heat.
The temperature of the water should reach 212°F (100°C).
If you have a gas stove, follow your manufacturer’s instructions. If you have a charcoal grill, follow your manufacturer‘s instructions.
Boiling water is great for getting rid of bacteria in drinking water, but this does take a long time to do over and over again.
Using Sterile Filters
Using sterile filters eliminates the need to boil water before drinking it.
A sterile filter has been treated with chemicals to make it free from germs.
Most sterile filters use silver ions to kill germs.
Some filters contain copper or iodine compounds.
These filters don’t eliminate all risks of illness. For example, they don’t prevent stomach upset caused by consuming raw eggs or undercooked meats.
However, these filters do protect against illnesses caused by contaminated water.
Sterile filtration systems include:
- Point-of-use filters
- Pitchers
- Reusable bottles
Point-of-use filters are attached to faucets at sinks and showers. They remove contaminants from tap water. This is great if you want to fill up a bottle of water at the sink.
Pitchers and reusable bottles are usually made of glass. These containers must be cleaned thoroughly between uses.
Using UV Light
UV light disinfects water without using chemicals.
This method works well if you want to purify large amounts of water. However, it won’t work if you want to treat a single cup of water.
This UV water bottle is awesome.
Using Chemical Treatments
Chemical treatments destroy pathogens without relying on sunlight. They also help keep the water clean longer.
Some chemical treatments:
- Kill algae
- Remove organic matter
- Reduce odor
- Increase shelf life
There are many different types of chemical treatments. Some are effective against specific organisms. Others are designed to kill everything.
Before treating water, check with your local health department. Also, read product labels carefully.
Purification Tablets
These tablets contain silver ions that kill bacteria. They are designed to be added directly to water. However, some people prefer to add them to the water after passes through a filter.
Bring Your Own Drinking Water
Bringing your own drinking water reduces the risk of getting sick.
It also helps reduce waste and means that you’ll have extra bottle water on hand at all times. The downside is that you’ll be taking up space by packing jugs of water.
How to purify water without a filter
If you’re unsure about water at campgrounds or if the public drinking water is safe, you can purify the water without a filter.
Just remember to follow these steps:
1. Use boiling water.
2. Filter out any debris.
3. Store in a cool place.
Be Prepared
Have a plan for what to do when you get thirsty. Drinking untreated water increases the chance of getting sick, and why risk that?
Bad water is out there, so it’s important to do what you can before you leave so that you’re educated on what you can and can’t drink.
Don’t Share
Don’t share water unless it is filtered. Water filtration is really important when you’re dealing with unknown water quality.
In an emergency, it’s a good idea to have a LifeStraw on hand so that you can get some sort of water in your body that is filtered and safe.
Stay Hydrated
Having acceptable water is key! I know this before camping, I MUST have water for coffee!
Be sure that you have fresh water hoses, filters, jugs of water, etc., before arriving at the campsite so that you can keep yourself and your family hydrated.
Knowing the Source of Your Water
Water is a vital part of our life. It is used for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. We use it to wash clothes, dishes, and ourselves.
The water we drink comes from rivers, lakes, or underground sources. But what about the source of this water?
Is it safe to drink? What are the risks involved in using water contaminated by chemicals or bacteria? How can you know if the water you’re drinking is safe?
The answer to these questions lies in knowing where your water comes from. Knowing your water source will help you make an informed decision on how to protect yourself and your family against contaminants in the water.
Is campsite water safe to drink? If you follow these tips, you should be able to drink the water!
Stay educated to stay safe while camping!
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