Finding free water?

[livesimply5]

I'm wondering how easy it is to find free water on the road? Do you find you have to end up buying it more often than not? Thanks!

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

http://www.findaspring.com/category/locations/north-america/usa/ Findaspring.com is a pretty good site. I know there are others that do the same thing. I found a great spring two miles from my house that's free. We fill up a few 5 gallon jugs and about a dozen gallon jugs every few weeks and it's some of the best water I've ever had.

On top of finding springs, lots of gas stations offer it, i've seen it offered at rest areas in some states, campgrounds, spring water vending stations where you pay per gallon 5-25 cents a gallon is the norm.

If you're off grid and don't need to fill an RV tank a portable water filter is great for making a daily supply from a lake or stream.
I use this one when off grid and fill up 4 one liter nalgene bottles at a time. Takes about 10-15 minutes.

https://www.amazon.com/MSR-56425-Mi...2&sr=8-5&keywords=water+filter+system+camping

Hope this helps

 

[highdesertranger]

I have only paid a few times. at Quartzsite was one it was 2 bucks for 80 gallons, quite reasonable. I have gone to small community water districts in the desert a few times and paid. a couple of times in Johannesburg CA, the last time I was there the water was .028 cents per gallon again something like 80 gallons was going to get the calculator out because it's on the honor system. said screw it and put 3 bucks in their box. highdesertranger

 

[accrete]

I second the idea of grabbing water from a local source if available and your supply is running low. The below image is of two items we have with us at all times. A Coleman lantern stand that we hang a Katadyn gravity filter on and drain into 5 gallon water jerry can(s). Doesn't take much storage space and could be a lifesaver.

: ) Thom

 

[skyl4rk]

Cemeteries and parks often have free water.

 

[livesimply5]

Cemeteries and parks often have free water.

Cool thanks wouldn't have thoight of cemetery

 

[TrainChaser]

Some rest areas, too. Look at the drinking fountain and see if there is a spigot under it, down low.

It's not free, but there are refill stations (machines) under various names (like Water Store), for about 30 cents a gallon, often standing out in front of big box or grocery stores. Ten gallons = $3.

 

[SUV_RVing]

I visit national parks a lot, and the visitor centers almost always have spigots with potable water outside. City parks are another good source if you're closer to civilization.

 

[ccbreder]

Cemetery well water for the irrigation and/or faucets should not be considered potable water.

 

[wagoneer]

Depending on your palate I opt for the natural springs I visit in central/western Nevada and generally fill-er-up free and tasty Look for the cottonwoods all in a row.

 

[livesimply5]

Cemetery well water for the irrigation and/or faucets should not be considrered potable water.

Very true. I was looking more for potable water sources

 

[cyndi]

Dump stations generally have water, too. I'd be using my own hose and doing some sanitizing before filling

https://rvdumpsites.net

 

[Svenn]

Cyndi do you know if the black icons on that site generally have water or not? Most of them are black, but it says that means 'no info'

Which truck stops/gas stations have free water?

 

[rvpopeye]

Wally World has RO water for 37 cents a gallon. Not free but close!
Many gas stations in the south have water on the islands too.

 

[poprouge]

http://www.sanidumps.com/ Has information on portable water as well. And it typically states if there is a fee involved. I have even seen it specified, where there might be a non guest fee for dumping that water was free or very cheap.

 

[TrainChaser]

Looking through my new book on free and cheap campgrounds, there are quite a few that cost $12 and less that have water (some are even free with water). What I did in the past was pay for a night in a fee-based campground, fill up my water jugs, and then park in free places until I got low on water, then spend another night in a pay campground if I couldn't find another source of free water.

 

[highdesertranger]

at Forest Service campgrounds I just ask if I can fill up with water, never have been told no. the only places that have refused me have been state parks. in one state park in Oregon I had to pay day use fees to dump my trash and fill up with water. I was desperate. another state park in Oregon I was told that I could not enter the park with out paying and still in another OR state park we got in but when we stopped to check are map they told us to pay up or leave immediately. in a state park in CA I stopped by a water spigot to give my dog some water, I took the bowl over to the spigot filled it and let the dog drink Mr. Ranger pulled up and read me the riot act about letting the dog out of the vehicle I said I would put a leash on him he said it didn't matter no dogs were allowed in the park period. I have had bad luck in state parks. highdesertranger

 

[TravelDerby]

When all else fails, just door knock and ask to fill up using someone's outside spigot. If you're presentable and polite you'll get a "Yes" 9 times out of 10.