Where to get drinking water

[Spaceman Spiff]

I have no problem getting food or gas. Google “grocery store” or Google “gas station” and either deficiency is quickly resolved.

All grocery stores and most gas stations sell water along with groceries or gas.

I carry water in 1 gallon jugs because they are easier to fill and use.
I carry a large funnel to direct water into my jugs from hand pumps.
I carry a backpacking filter for stream and lake water, and for other questionable water sources.

City/county parks, visitor centers, ranger stations, NF/CoE campgrounds and picnic areas, major rest areas usually have water.
Some dump stations will have a potable water station.
Windmills pumping underground water is another source I have used.

Only time I have trouble easily obtaining water is after outdoor water shutoff before late fall freeze.

 

[LargeMarge]

...refill options...

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NaturalGrocers has nearly two hundred stores... all over America, except California.
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In the Oregon NaturalGrocers locations, their Reverse Osmosis dispensers have three high-speed spigots.
Although we fill gallons -- about six seconds -- folks bring five-gallon jugs.
Too heavy for me to mess with.
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Serviced by specialist technicians daily, the reservoir is a couple hundred gallons, ready to go.
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A quarter (25¢) a gallon, and the adjoining shelves have glass and food-grade containers for sale.
.
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An aside:
The produce section of NaturalGrocers is certified organic.
Only organic products... no need to dig through GMO or 'Round-Up Ready' nastiness.

 

[bagabum]

Most gas stations have water taps. Some may be turned off and you need a key-type wrench to turn on. I've asked at several gas stations and convenience stores over the years and have always been able to fill a 7 gallon utility jug or my 10 gallon tank. The fact that I always bought either gas or snacks from them probably helped, I'm sure.

I haven't seen a gas station in years that has water, and the compressed air you have to pay for. I guess I need to look for the water hose bib.

 

[bagabum]

Agree, finding reasonably priced water is a huge problem, not so much if you don't mind paying over a buck a gallon. It hurts to pay that much when I know that my residential tap water is less than a penny a gallon (0.8 cents).

 

[rruff]

I haven't seen a gas station in years that has water, and the compressed air you have to pay for. I guess I need to look for the water hose bib.

Some have free water. Chevron. Shell.

When I was in Yuma I'd just get it all from a "5 gal for 50 cents" place.

 

[Ripper238]

Hmm. There is free water everywhere.

I utilize a few water filters to simply pull from a stream or whatever if I cant get to a camp ground that has water if my 20l can runs out.

Its strange to pay for water, though I too will do it for convenience on occasion.

 

[user 423]

I haven't seen a gas station in years that has water, and the compressed air you have to pay for. I guess I need to look for the water hose bib.

"Gas stations" these days are mostly convenience stores with pumps. Most will have outside faucets that are used for hosing down the property or whatever. Filling a reasonable size jug is doable if you ask nicely and patronize the store.

 

[dustytrailhead]

Some have free water. Chevron. Shell.

When I was in Yuma I'd just get it all from a "5 gal for 50 cents" place.

I think I know which one you’re talking about, on Fortuna north of the interstate. Actually, two kiosks, painted blue. They look sketchy, but the water tastes good. That’s the cheapest water in Yuma that I’ve found.

 

[rruff]

I think I know which one you’re talking about, on Fortuna north of the interstate. Actually, two kiosks, painted blue. They look sketchy, but the water tastes good. That’s the cheapest water in Yuma that I’ve found.

I was thinking of one near the Walmart south the the college, but there are several around.

Vended drinking water is cheaper than it was 30 years ago, which is hard to complain about... especially when you compare it to the price of gas and food. Even if you want 20 gal of purified water per week, that's $2... a pittance.

 

[afblangley]

I haven't seen a gas station in years that has water, and the compressed air you have to pay for. I guess I need to look for the water hose bib.

If you're not intimidated by going into the area with the big rigs, almost all interstate truck stops have them, right next to the pumps.

 

[rruff]

If you're not intimidated by going into the area with the big rigs, almost all interstate truck stops have them, right next to the pumps.

Free? Potable?

 

[user 423]

I believe this thread has drifted off the original question about finding purified water.

Some are OK with drinking tap water but I'll bet the majority aren't.

 

[AmargosaWayne]

In the Yuma area, the closest rest area on I-8 in California has free potable water and trash bins. Ten miles from American Girl Mine Rd. area.

GPS: 32.737382,-114.890363

For purified water you could get your own water purifier for your drinking and cooking needs.

 

[AmargosaWayne]

In Nevada some rest areas have free potable water. If you see a blue tap, that is filtered water. The red taps are unfiltered.

 

[afblangley]

Free? Potable?

Yes it's free. There's typically no sign to indicate potability or lack thereof. I've seen the spigots (in our class A we have to fuel with the semis) but it would be poor etiquette to use it to fill our 100 gal tank. I don't need to frequent truck stops in the van, but with it's small tank I wouldn't hesitate to do so if the occasion warrants. Please be courteous: if your vehicle has portable tanks, park in the car area and walk the tank to the water spigot.

 

[flaggit]

Has anyone else noticed that Walmart has apparently decided there’s more money to be made selling drinking water in $1 jugs as they phase out - or do not include in “rehabs” or new stores - the machines where you fill your own jug for 39 cents@gallon?

The time is coming you won’t be able to fill up your drinking water for cheap at Walmart. I have noticed that some Quiktrip stores are adding water refill stations at their new stores. Are there any other refill options other than the standalone ice/water vendors?

I use a water bandit (for unthreaded faucets), faucet key (Jones Stephens J40-005 Four Way faucet handle key) and a Berkeley water filter. A Pur or Brita could also work. I always ask for potable water and go from there. I store in
Scepter 5 Gallon True Military BPA Free Water Container, Food Grade Water Jug for Camping which are spendy but last unlike all the others I have tried over the years.

 

[bebewanna]

twicetheice.com

These are dual ice and filtered water machines. Taos has one right on main road in downtown. 5 gallons was $1.75. Seems they are all over.. The url above you can find them. Solved my issue fast.

 

[CrowsWingTeardrop]

We tend to use Primo or Glacier refill stations. If we're at a Walmart or grocery store they usually have a water fill station. They tend to be 30 to 50 cents per gallon and the water quality is typically very good. Having used various "potable" water spigots with widely varying qualities and taste, I'd much rather pay for something I know I can drink without having "issues"

 

[NctryBen]

If you have a decent filtration system you don’t have to worry so much about buying decent water. But I buy it because it really wasn’t hard to find and it wasn’t bad. But I think I’m going to try some alternative water ideas this coming season. Up here in northern Minnesota we kinda take our water for granted. In the desert and some other places I’d like to be more water savvy... not something we can skimp on to much... and dependency on one or two sources could be a bugger should those sources dry up or go the way of fuel prices and get to be burdensome.