Is public drinking water safe?

[VanSkulk]

I use a reverse osmosis in my sticks and bricks. I did some research on moving it to my van when I move into it. They basically depend on the constant pressure of the city supply system to function. I don't think it can be modified for van use unless you want to supply pressure continuously.

 

[AJ452]

Standard reverse osmosis systems waste a lot more water down the drain than than what you get to actually keep as your finished product. Perhaps doable when hooked up, but not very practical if you're boondocking.

 

[vanmannorm]

I think we all have our comfort zones & it's good to gather others thoughts and information. My experience is I will drink just about any water that comes from a city spigot, as long as the color, clarity & taste isn't too "off". If you hang around me long enough you will find that if a Reese's Cup is involved, it's definitely longer than a 5 second rule. LoL As long as I witnessed it falling out of the package. Wiped off the debris and down the hatch it goes.

Yep, I do believe that people are a little too paranoid now days. Excuse me, I'm thirsty. Going to go chug a lug out of the garden hose.

 

[user 22017]

Going to go chug a lug out of the garden hose.

Science isn't paranoia.

 

[user 22017]

Standard reverse osmosis systems waste a lot more water down the drain than than what you get to actually keep as your finished product. Perhaps doable when hooked up, but not very practical if you're boondocking.

What about UV Led? A channel I follow (Kombilife) installed an LED system in their van. If UV Led works, I hope the price comes down. Think Acuva filters start at $550.

Here are some links about the UV Led system, if anyone is interested:

https://www.thervgeeks.com/acuva-eco-nx-silver-water-purifier-upgrade/
https://www.acuvatech.com/water-purification-motorhomes/
https://kombilife.com/van-life-water-systems-complete-guide/#filter

 

[JDub]

Standard reverse osmosis systems waste a lot more water down the drain than than what you get to actually keep as your finished product. Perhaps doable when hooked up, but not very practical if you're boondocking.

I remember in Croatia in Dec of 95, just before U.S. forces crossed the Sava River into BH, we experienced a serious water shortage because the trailer mounted reverse osmosis processors supposed to do the job couldn't remove the very high levels of dissolved metals that were in the Sava river water, the Army had NO backup plan (unbelievable) and we were down to just a bottle a day of local purchased drinking water until the Air Force (Go Big Blue) emergency flew C5 cargo planes loaded with pallets of bottled water into the country from San Antonio after buying them at - Walmart - ... USAF saved the day again!

 

[Frood]

What about UV Led? A channel I follow (Kombilife) installed an LED system in their van. If UV Led works, I hope the price comes down. Think Acuva filters start at $550.

Here are some links about the UV Led system, if anyone is interested:

https://www.thervgeeks.com/acuva-eco-nx-silver-water-purifier-upgrade/
https://www.acuvatech.com/water-purification-motorhomes/
https://kombilife.com/van-life-water-systems-complete-guide/#filter

UV purification removes 0% (yeah that's zero) of contaminants. If done correctly it ruptures cell membranes and/or disrupts the genetic structure of microorganisms rendering them inert. It can also act as a catalyst for certain chemical reactions but I wouldn't rely on it to make toxins inert... It just kills bacteria and hopefully viruses. You still need some kind of filter system (which most UV systems are paired with/incorporated into) to remove the actual things from your water that you don't want to be there. Of course, if the contaminants are smaller than water molecules then you won't be able to remove them even using the best theoretically possible filter unless you distill your water rather than filter it. Fortunately most substances that are smaller than water molecules (H2O is oxygen bonded with 2 hydrogen atoms) so by looking at the periodic table it looks like most of what will get through a really high quality filter are elements you need in varying amounts anyway... (emphasize MOST here!)

So the takeaway here is to make sure to still incorporate a filter into your system even if you are basing it around UV sanitization or to just focus on the filter itself.

 

[user 22017]

So the takeaway here is to make sure to still incorporate a filter into your system even if you are basing it around UV sanitization or to just focus on the filter itself.

Frood, Do you think there is a filter that doesn't have an issue with bacteria growing when stored in a hot vehicle? How would I search for the answer?

 

[Frood]

Frood, Do you think there is a filter that doesn't have an issue with bacteria growing when stored in a hot vehicle? How would I search for the answer?

I'm sure there are filter options that do just what you describe... but you will need to read the fine print on the filter. I haven't researched filter systems in years (since I started using the one I have now) but I remember years ago reading about anti-microbial water filters that used silver or something to inhibit bacteria. It could have been something other than silver... Don't remember the brand or anything just that I did see there was something that did the job.

 

[user 22017]

I'm sure there are filter options that do just what you describe... but you will need to read the fine print on the filter. I haven't researched filter systems in years (since I started using the one I have now) but I remember years ago reading about anti-microbial water filters that used silver or something to inhibit bacteria. It could have been something other than silver... Don't remember the brand or anything just that I did see there was something that did the job.

Thank you.

 

[wayne49]

Alkaline in water inhibits bacteria growth. The tiny bugs thrive in an acidic solution.
Much of the fill water that I have been getting is alkaline.
It leaves a white powdery buildup on the tap.

 

[JDub]

I have Zero Water filters for vehicular use and keep Sawyer and LifeStraw mini filters on hand for hiking and rough camping. Bleach made from Pool Shock - Sodium Hypochlorite- at least 60% in strength will knockout pretty much any bug in water. Dissolved solids are taken care of by the filters. Boiling as the last stage of purification is a good idea too for a number of reasons.

Cheers!

 

[ThirdEye]

And even if you are removing sufficient contaminants, for a DIY system there is a question of HOW LONG will your system remain a viable solution...

I read about an area in one of the Carolinas where the watershed was so contaminated from a chemical plant that the article said that the kids playing in the ocean were actually playing in toxic foam... Think it was a paint plant or something?

I'm going to have to reconsider my filter system. I use a Berkey now but mostly for tap

And even if you are removing sufficient contaminants, for a DIY system there is a question of HOW LONG will your system remain a viable solution...

I read about an area in one of the Carolinas where the watershed was so contaminated from a chemical plant that the article said that the kids playing in the ocean were actually playing in toxic foam... Think it was a paint plant or something?

I'm going to have to reconsider my filter system. I use a Berkey now but mostly for tap water...

My home base is in NC, and yep, we have a toxic water problem.

"Peoples lives really got turned upside down because it’s not just drinking water, it’s likely food, fishing, swimming in the lakes, property values: all of these things won’t change for the foreseeable future,” Knappe said. “It’s a tragedy, a travesty, and, yes, it’s a result of four decades of Chemours basically operating without oversight in terms of those compounds.”

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jul/12/north-carolina-pfas-toxic-forever-chemicals-cancer

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news...ng-forever-chemicals-pittsboro-north-carolina

 

[user 423]

Alkaline in water inhibits bacteria growth. The tiny bugs thrive in an acidic solution. Much of the fill water that I have been getting is alkaline.
It leaves a white powdery buildup on the tap.

That's what the well water looks like here in S.E. AZ and I've been drinking Brita filtered water for years. How do I test for alkalinity?

 

[user 423]

So we have to buy something like reverse osmosis systems?

No, just drink purified water in hot weather and use the Brita only in cold weather. Or Brita says to store it in the fridge. Not likely with my tiny fridge.

 

[user 22017]

No, just drink purified water in hot weather and use the Brita only in cold weather. Or Brita says to store it in the fridge. Not likely with my tiny fridge.

Thanks. I gave the Brita to my daughter. I'll buy another when the weather cools off.

 

[Frood]

That's what the well water looks like here in S.E. AZ and I've been drinking Brita filtered water for years. How do I test for alkalinity?

Any PH test strip (litmus test strip) will tell you how acidic or alkali your water is.
Also, both acidic and alkaline will leave a powdery residue as the water evaporates and leaves the substances that were making it alkali or acidic behind (pure water is PH 7, but tends to be acidic in the environment as it absorbs trace CO2 from the atmosphere... once again this is just a snippet from a quick google).

Thanks. I gave the Brita to my daughter. I'll buy another when the weather cools off.

What are you trying to remove from your water? Chemicals or microorganisms? Any living organism needs an appropriate environment to thrive/reproduce. Depending on how your filter and set-up works you may be overcomplicating the issue. Do you filter water as you fill jugs, or do you filter water as you drink it? Just drying your filter after use may be enough to solve your issue. Any filter worth using SHOULD be keeping the bacteria in the unfiltered side of the reservoir (this is what they are designed to do after all) and you may just be shortening the life of your filter as it gets clogged (once again it depends on what you are trying to filter). Some filters can be back-flushed to clean them out and extend their life (usually for microbial filters not so much for chemical filters).

 

[user 22017]

What are you trying to remove from your water? Chemicals or microorganisms? Any living organism needs an appropriate environment to thrive/reproduce. Depending on how your filter and set-up works you may be overcomplicating the issue.

Thanks, Frood. I only had the Brita for a few weeks. I filled several jugs to use for drinking/cooking water. I wanted it for questionable water sources when traveling and to ensure the water tastes decent. Also, I've wanted one for a long time. I'll buy another

This is the one I bought:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Brita-Ultramax-Water-Filter-Dispenser-18-Cup-Gray/16767813?
For $10 more I can get the one with the 'change filter indicator':

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Brita-18-Cup-Ultramax-Dispenser-with-Elite-Filter-Black/472423413
Also, I see that Brita now removes lead (like the Zero). The Brita that costs $10 more comes with two filters, so I may as well get that one.

 

[user 22017]

My links say "Robot or human?". How do we prevent that?

Hmm. Now the text above is a link. What is going on?

 

[LargeMarge]

a)
re -- "...Pool Shock - Sodium Hypochlorite- at least 60% in strength will knockout pretty much any bug..."
.
Yes, but...
I cherish my gut biome.
I feed my healthy gut with probiotics in commercial capsules plus living fermented foods.
I feed my healthy gut bacteria with prebiotics, cassava and plantains among others, including insoluble fiber.
.
Researchers are estimating at least 90% (ninety percent) of our immune system comes from the healthy bacteria in our gut.
What happens to my healthy gut -- home to much of my immune system -- during a course of anti-biotics, those drugs engineered to kill bacteria in a wound or during a time of illness?
.
What happens to my healthy gut if I consume chemicals engineered to kill/inactivate bacteria (and fungus (and virus (from the Latin for 'poison'))..)?
And after my immune system is destroyed, how susceptible am I to the next invaders?
Nope, I do not like the sound of that.
Not at all.
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Accordingly, all our drinking water is Reverse Osmosis.
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This forum is oriented toward mobile dwellers.
I wonder about the numbers of folks with factory RecreateVehicles and their factory-installed yuge fresh-water tanks.
I wonder about the composition of the materials in the tanks and associated components such as lines and pumps.
.
Based on everything we know about cost-cutting in every other aspect of factory RecreateVehicles, can we conclude 'health of the purchaser' was not a concern during discussions by the committees of accountants designing the rig?
Fact is, I bet more time is involved with the swoopy decals than any concern for anything other than getting the purchaser's check to clear.
.
.
b)
How about water for worshing?
Although I have no way to prove it, I read someplace:
* anything on your skin is absorbed into your skin.
.
I see filters advertised for shower-heads.
I wonder about their efficiency.
The versions I see are the size of my finger, so I wonder about their longevity.
.
.
c)
Back to the original q -- is public water safe?
.
Based on everything we know about the government agents, I think we can all agree they are most interested in their salaries and benefits packages.
If anybody positive and helpful happens for the little people, I can picture the bureaucrats suddenly sitting, bewildered.
.
Unless, of course, they are the dedicated public servants with the BureauOfJustifyingOurExistence...