Community Forums

SHutson · 06-16-2016, 05:35 AM

Is there some protocol about water supply at septic dumps? Specifically I'm curious about the tall, spring-mounted water supply hose I see at most dumps. Is this always non-potable, always potable or none of the above?

TIA

cwit · 06-16-2016, 05:48 AM

I would consider it non- potable.

twinboat · 06-16-2016, 05:48 AM

The dump site tower is always marked non potable in any I've seen.

I believe it has to do with how it's used rather then the source of the water. I've seen people shove them all the way into the waste hose when rinsing.

At the Outer Banks CG, both potable and dump site hoses were on the same type of spring towers. Just 100 feet apart.

I prefer to use "MY" hose when filling my water tank. You never know what the hose, left there, was used for.

Bigd9 · 06-16-2016, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHutson

Is there some protocol about water supply at septic dumps? Specifically I'm curious about the tall, spring-mounted water supply hose I see at most dumps. Is this always non-potable, always potable or none of the above?

TIA

The word "Always" does not apply. I have seen some very nice setups at dump stations and some really horrible ones. Michigan State Parks have some of the nicest I have found. One spring tower is clearly marked Non-Potable" water only. And about 20 feet away from the actual dump hole is another spring tower clearly marked "Potable Water". So just look around and make your best judgement as to what is the safest way to fill the tank.

Most private parks with full hookups have one faucet for water, one electric box, and one sewer dump hole. Guess what people use to wash out their sewer hose (AKA Stinky Slinky). I usually spray some Clorox on the fittings just to make me feel better about the water tank fill up.

Gary RVRoamer · 06-16-2016, 09:22 AM

Nearly all health departments will require that a fresh water hose within x feet (usually about 8 ft) of the sewer dump line be labeled "non-potable", even though the water source feeding it may contain potable water. That's simply in case of contamination from the nearby sewer.

Those spring loaded hose mounts are designed with that in mind, and they typically do NOT have a threaded hose fitting on the end, to discourage hooking it to a potable water inlet. In some places there will be another water line a bit further away (depending on local regs) that is marked potable.

twogypsies · 06-16-2016, 10:50 AM

95% of the time you'll find a spring-mounted hose at the dump holes. The water is definitely not potable. Don't use it as fresh water.

When you drive further ahead you will see a separate area and it should be marked 'potable' that you will use to fill your tank.

MSHappyCampers · 06-16-2016, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

The dump site tower is always marked non potable in any I've seen.

I believe it has to do with how it's used rather then the source of the water. I've seen people shove them all the way into the waste hose when rinsing.

At the Outer Banks CG, both potable and dump site hoses were on the same type of spring towers. Just 100 feet apart.

I prefer to use "MY" hose when filling my water tank. You never know what the hose, left there, was used for.

I agree, IF there is only one hose tower!