Community Forums

babock · 02-07-2008, 12:33 PM

OK..what is the deal about using a "white" water hose. If I fill my motorhome's water tank with a regular garden hose instead of the white one, what will be the consequences?

babock · 02-07-2008, 12:33 PM

OK..what is the deal about using a "white" water hose. If I fill my motorhome's water tank with a regular garden hose instead of the white one, what will be the consequences?

SacsTC · 02-07-2008, 12:53 PM

Bacock, The white hoses referred to in RVing are made for potable water. The regular green garden hoses are not..If you have ever had a drink from a newer green hose, they have a distinctive (bad) flavor from chemicals used in the manufacturing process. The white hoses do not have this.

babock · 02-07-2008, 12:55 PM

I am reading that a regular garden hose can leach chemicals into the water.

Route 66 · 02-07-2008, 01:19 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I am reading that a regular garden hose can leach chemicals into the water. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

IMHO, it's more of a taste issue, as most of us drank from water hoses as kids, and we're all still here.

Pusherman · 02-07-2008, 01:51 PM

Yea, but look what it did to Dirk!

Check it out!

Route 66 · 02-07-2008, 02:04 PM

You may be on to something.

rjf7g · 02-07-2008, 02:17 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">IMHO, it's more of a taste issue, as most of us drank from water hoses as kids, and we're all still here.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You're assuming that today's water hoses are the same as the water hoses we grew up with...

Route 66 · 02-07-2008, 03:00 PM

I'm sure you're right about the change in hose construction, but I've seen a lot of RV's with all different types of hoses hooked up.

I use and recommend the white hose in spite of what others do.

Easyrider · 02-07-2008, 03:00 PM

I also think the effect of green hoses on the taste of water is more if the hose is left connected for city water service than it is if you run a lot of water through it, then fill your tanks and then disconnect it. We can definately taste the difference and always use the white rv hoses for out water supply.

**NLOVNIT** · 02-07-2008, 03:26 PM

Supposedly, the green ones contain lead & other chemicals which can leach out from standing water inside the hose. Once you've run water through a hose, even when you empty & roll it up, there will still always be residual water left inside it. This water can absorb the hose chemicals.

The white hoses labelled safe for drinking water aren't supposed to have such chemicals (or very tiny amounts) in them to leach out.

I, personally, always use the white hoses for filling our fresh tank and for drinking from. Even though I did my fair share, as a kid, of drinking from a garden hose..one that was hooked up to a cistern that I distinctly remember dropping bugs into through the tiny hole in the large rock slab that covered the top. Eeewwww!

With that said, no matter which hose you choose to use, be sure to flush any of them for at least a minute before drinking from them or filling your rv's tank. You never know for sure what's been "brewing" in any hose if it's been idle for any length of time. Better safe than sorry, I say.

L-

dieselclacker · 02-07-2008, 03:47 PM

So, with all this leaching of harmful chemicals from green garden hoses, where are the warning labels against using them for drinking water usage.

Dieselclacker

Tom N · 02-07-2008, 04:07 PM

I have a brown hose labeled safe for drinking water. So, color is meaningless.

-Tom

**NLOVNIT** · 02-07-2008, 04:11 PM

We've got a brand new (not even out of the package yet) black garden hose out in our garage that I just checked on. There's a sentence at the bottom of the cardboard cover that reads:
"WARNING: This hose is not for drinking use. This hose is made from recycled materials"

Granted, it doesn't mention lead, but I'd say that warning is enough to make me not want to drink out of it.

L-

P.S. Could a moderator please move this, if they think appropriate, to the General Discussion forum? I think this is a good topic not related to just MH owners.