Free water in western AZ?

[gatherer]

Ok, I'll admit it, I'm a cheapskate. I usually get water from rivers or spigots behind commercial buldings for free (thank you silcock key!), but in Arizona it all tastes awful. Anyone know where to get halfway decent water for free or cheap in western AZ? I'm not a huge fan of shelling out $20 bucks a tank at those coin op water dispensers. Thanks!

 

[bullfrog]

I would think the local public water company would be the cheapest place, probably not free, not tasty, but run what you drink through a Berkey and it will probably be the best you can do. Almost all National Parks with campgrounds have a dump station and potable water that is free. Even ones that don’t have campgrounds have potable water. Veterans/Military get in free to the park, seniors over 62 years old can get a lifetime pass for $80 which gives you access to not only potable water but trash dumpsters, WiFi and lots of other extras (even free showers some places). The more you use it the less it will have cost you.

 

[LERCA]

AZ like California has very hard water. A high mineral content mostly magnesium and calcium. You may also taste chlorine but the concentration is not high enough to cause any damage. Welcome to the West. ;-)

 

[highdesertranger]

I would like to point out that CRVL does not condone water theft.

highdesertranger

 

[DLTooley]

I like filtered for drinking, you can do the filter yourself. I’m happy to pay for drinking water quantities.

Finding smaller quantities of non filtered is more of an issue for me in Western AZ.

 

[maki2]

TThe last California hyway  rest stop on Hwy 10 before you cross into Arizona has a water faucet by the parking spaces near the restroom. A lot of people camping in the Quartzsite area go to Blythe for groceries so it is on the way cvoming and going to Blythe.

 

[hugemoth]

Regular city water is 5¢ per gallon at the County RV park in Bouse. Good for washing but tastes typically bad. Haven't found anything better than the 20¢ per gallon RO water for drinking.

 

[highdesertranger]

have you tried the deep well water at the RV pit stop in Quartzsite? to me it taste fine. highdesertranger

 

[LERCA]

California water costs are through the roof. And it’s one of the most contentious issues in the state. Any household that uses too much water is fined. I still have my bad childhood problem of not flushing at night as we were taught.
People can be reported for using water to wash sidewalks. Water is a huge issue.
I paid $365 for one month a few months ago so I can promise you if you find a loose spigot it is not meant for people to use as much as they want as often as they want. Someone is paying. Please be respectful.

 

[Uncle Todo]

While on the other hand, here in VA I sometimes flush the toilet just for fun!
No, I don't actually, but other than one summer a few years ago, we've never had water restrictions.
Kind of an odd notion for me.

 

[gatherer]

Many thanks for the suggestions! I'm looking forward to trying that one in Quartzsite. I'm don't see the rest area blythe and the AZ border on the map though.

 

[desert_sailing]

at least here in Washington..an outside faucet..ANYWHERE is NOT potable. Unless it is marked as safe for drinking it is irrigation water and has numerous contaminates.

i imagine Cali and other states that deal with water shortages are similar. Entities typically do not use drinking water for the lawn, crops or use for car washes.

I don't drink it unless I'm certain of the source...

 

[bullfrog]

The rest area we used was West of Yuma is close to the sand dunes if that helps. We used it when staying at BLM land at the base of the mountains out by American Girl mine. We went west after getting on the interstate to the first exit out of the left lane as it is in the median of the interstate I believe. We used a blue Camco filter and a short water hose we had with us as there was only a hydrant fairly close to the ground.

 

[jacqueg]

Many thanks for the suggestions! I'm looking forward to trying that one in Quartzsite. I'm don't see the rest area blythe and the AZ border on the map though.

The rest area is actually just inside of Arizona, about 6-7 miles east of Blythe, near Arizona milepost 1. 

There are a couple of California rest areas west of Blythe before you get to Indio. Dunno whether they have water or not.

 

[LERCA]

Interesting. I haven’t seen a non-potable water sign since I was a kid. Never would have occurred to me not to drink it without a sign. But I don’t live in the agricultural part of the state. I also know things have changed a lot as far as pollution in general in California and awareness.
I’m now curious and will look into it.

 

[billfires]

I don't know about western AZ but here in SE Mass we have given people water from the fire station. During a drought we were filling 275 gal totes for people. I can't imagine any firefighters turning down a polite request for water. Bill C

 

[travlin man and wife]

IN TN MY WATER BILL IS 35 PER MONTH.