ONE WEEK, 55 GALLONS of Water. How We Conserve Water When Boondocking.
#rvlife #travel
2022-10-23
Hello, everyone! Today, I want to talk to you about a topic that may not cross your mind very often but it’s really crucial: water conservation. You might be wondering, why’s that important? Well, let me explain. Water conservation is critical for all of us, but it becomes especially significant when you’re traversing on the open road, trekking through uncharted territories in your RV, your adventure-paradise-on-wheels. I’m specifically highlighting the need for water conservation while we’re dry camping, or boondocking if you will, and I’ll be sure to toss in a few tricks we use to maximize our water usage.
So, let’s dive in. When we're boondocking, we are constantly mindful about the amount of water we use because once our reservoir is depleted, we have to pack everything up, drive off to refill and empty our tanks before we can go back to soaking in the serenity of nature. This can be quite the killjoy, so we aim to stretch out our water supply to last as long as possible.
The thing is, we are often oblivious to how much water we consume daily. But once you start keeping close tabs on your usage, you realize, it's, well, a lot! For instance, in Canada, the average person uses up to 335 liters or 88 gallons per day. In stark contrast, inhabitants of water-scarce regions make do with an average of five gallons a day. That’s a whopping 67 times the difference! Take a minute to digest that.
Now, I’m not here to preach about the need for water conservation, but if you think about it, our expanding global population and the increasing demand for fresh water mean that water scarcity is an imminent crisis awaiting us. So, every drop you save counts!
When we're boondocking, we're limited to 208 liters or 55 gallons of water in our freshwater tank. We have a 30-gallon capacity for waste water in our gray tank, originating from activities like showering or dishwashing. What’s more, our black water tank, which is meant for sewage, also has a capacity of 30 gallons.
Since every sip and drop matters, we love setting water-saving challenges to see how far we can stretch the window before the inevitable refill. We usually manage a week comfortably, utilizing about four gallons a day each. But occasionally, we can squeeze it out (pun intended) to 10 to 14 days if we drop into extreme conservation mode.
One of the most straightforward areas to kick-start water conservation is in the shower. We switched out the standard RV shower head for an oxygenics Fury which has a wonderful little flow adjuster switch, allowing us to adjust the water flow as needed - which is a small change that saves tons of water. We also opt for military-style showers, keeping them short, reducing the flow when soaping up, and turning on the water only for rinses. And ladies (and some gentlemen), let me tell you, I wash my hair only about twice a week. Though it took a while for my scalp to adapt, now I can go multiple days without my hair looking slick or greasy.
Another place where we conserve water is, you guessed it – the bathroom sink. Think about turning off the faucet when you're brushing your teeth or only using a minimal amount of water when rinsing your face. Small changes, big effects!
Shifting to the kitchen, one hack to save water while washing dishes is to completely wipe them clean into the trash before cleaning. This eliminates the need for pre-rinsing and saves water during the rinse cycle too. We also use this great dish soap spray concentrate, which can be sprayed directly onto the dishes, eliminating the need to fill the sink.
In terms of drinking water, we carry along 5-gallon and 7-gallon jugs. We could rely on our trailer water system, but we prefer having these jugs filled from a trustworthy drinking water source. This way, we can be more flexible with the water source for our trailer as long as it's potable.
However, one of the significant limiting factors in our boondocking water usage is our gray tank. For this, we have what's known as a wastewater tote. This permits us to empty our gray tanks into the tote and then move it elsewhere instead of having to move the entire trailer.
Traveling with limited water can indeed be a test, but with these tips and a bit of creativity, we've succeeded in decreasing our water usage considerably. I deeply hope this has given you some ideas as well to curtail your water consumption while traveling and even in your homes.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling with an RV: Strategies for Water Conservation When Boondocking
Recreational vehicle (RV) travel is an exciting and safe way to explore the vast outdoors, offering the comforts of home within the confines of a four-wheel drive. One phenomenon that has recently gained substantial popularity in the full-time RVing community is the unique aspect of ‘boondocking’. Boondocking, also known as free or wild camping, allows explorers to camp anywhere outside designated camping areas. While boondocking has its thrills, it also presents challenges. Among them, water conservation plays a crucial role. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on RV traveling while focusing on how to conserve water when boondocking.
The Importance of Water Conservation during Boondocking
Being an eco-conscious traveler necessitates considering the environmental impact of your adventures. For RVing, one of the most significant concerns is water usage. A typical household uses up to 80-100 gallons of water per person daily. In contrast, a well-managed RV can run efficiently on just 10-12 gallons per person.
While boondocking, access to water resources can be obscure, and maximizing each drop of water becomes crucial. Apart from the ecological importance, conserving water can lead to longer periods of boondocking before needing to refill water tanks or empty the waste tanks, making the overall RVing experience more seamless.
Strategies to Conserve Water When Boondocking with an RV
1. Efficient Use of Freshwater: The first step to water conservation begins with efficient utilization. It’s essential to judiciously use your stored fresh water. Use a dishpan for washing dishes instead of flowing water, be cognizant of the water used in cooking, and repurpose leftover water when possible. For instance, the water coming out of the shower head until it warms can be collected and used for dishes.
2. Navy Showers: One of the most effective strategies in water conservation on the road is adopting ‘Navy Showers’. This involves turning off the water while lathering or applying shampoo and only using it for rinsing. This approach saves a considerable amount of water as compared to conventional showers.
3. Upgraded Fixtures: Install water-efficient fixtures like low-flow showerheads and faucets, which can significantly reduce water consumption. Specially designed for RV use, these fixtures balance comfort with conservancy and are relatively easy to install.
4. Drinking Water: While it's crucial to stay hydrated, avoid wasting drinking water. To save water, consider using a refillable water bottle instead of multiple glasses and using ice sparingly.
5. Managing the RV's Water Systems: Understand the utilization of your greywater tank (water from your shower and sink) and blackwater tank (from your toilet). By carefully monitoring and managing these systems, you can extend the period between refills.
6. Avoiding Water Wastage: Checking for leaks in pipelines and tanks and promptly repairing them can save a significant amount of water. Also, prevent overfilling containers and pots and try catching any overflow or excess water to reuse.
7. Use of Biodegradable Soaps: Biodegradable soaps reduce the contaminant levels in your gray water, permitting you to use this water for tasks like flushing.
8. Carrying Extra Potable Water: Carry containers of potable water for drinking. This will not only ensure that you have safe drinking water available but will also lessen the burden on your RV's water tank.
Incorporating these water conservation strategies and adapting to a few lifestyle changes can ensure a conscientious and eco-friendly RV boondocking experience.
The Joys of Resourceful RVing
Traveling in an RV allows for an enriching experience that blends comfort with adventure. When boondocking, the opportunity to escape into the wild and unplugging from the world has its unique charm. However, it also involves responsible and resourceful planning. Among many aspects, water conservation becomes a vital constituent of this journey.
By promoting sustainability and adopting these water-efficient practices, you can extend your wilderness stay, keep your expenses at bay, and contribute positively to the environment. Thus, becoming a competent water-conserving RVer is not only good for you but is also crucial for the continued viability of boondocking.
In the grand scheme of things, water conservation is merely the tip of the iceberg. Every aspect of RVing, from route planning to meals, from navigation to setting up camp, is an art and science in itself. And while it may seem daunting initially, every trip you undertake is a learning curve, honing your skills and enhancing your love for the great outdoors.
As the saying goes, "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." So, keep exploring, keep conserving, and keep doing your bit in preserving the places that offer you solace and joy. Safe journeying to you!