I was wondering, why are we using water hoses especially for caravans and not the garden hose variety as they are a lot cheaper.
My current water hose has finally split again, I have used a joiner (12mm) but it is time to renew. I run a inline filter for the water to go into the van either under mains or tanks.
Should I purchase a normal garden hose or the caravan / camping type?
If you want to drink or use for cooking has to be a proper water hose. Garden hoses are full of carcinogens and the water smells and tastes plasticy as well.
I have never filled my water at home with a special hose, use the garden hose always. always run a few litres on the ground first. Have always connected in cp with a drinking water hose. only ever had bad tank water once and that was a tank from an Esperance cp .
just what I do
cheers
blaze
I think the main reason the 'garden variety' hose is unsuitable to use for providing water into a van is that the hose spends its time lying in the sun (elements) and often with the water not running through it, but lying there under the sun (elements).
It is that that causes the bad taste etc.
Blue 'drinking quality' hoses are recommended as they are made from plastics/materials that do not suffer from long term exposure to the elements - with water stationary inside.
Cheers - John
__________________
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
Just a quick search online will give you dozens of sites that confirm you shouldn't use garden hoses for drinking water because of carcinogenic properties. That's enough for me.
A couple of drinking water hoses are ' white/pearl white" probably less flexible than the blue ones. If you are just tank filling, then standard hose in good nick is ok once flushed first.
I think the main reason the 'garden variety' hose is unsuitable to use for providing water into a van is that the hose spends its time lying in the sun (elements) and often with the water not running through it, but lying there under the sun (elements).
It is that that causes the bad taste etc.
Blue 'drinking quality' hoses are recommended as they are made from plastics/materials that do not suffer from long term exposure to the elements - with water stationary inside.
Cheers - John
I totally agree john, it is the fact that water remains in the hose and cooks away leaching all the nasties out of the cheap garden hoses.
If you go to the trouble of completely removing water in them you can get away with them though. Problem is there are a few really bad ones and it isn't worth it in the long run.
I use a garden hose to fill my tanks prior to a trip but it is 4 metres long, gets disconnected and drained. No effects at all in those circumstances.
Those that say they have no effect....Realise that you do not smell carbon-monoxide, and you do not necessarily taste insidious chemicals leaching from your hose. Also some folk have a much more heightened sens of taste.
Just had a Quick Google to see what the Oracle says about it. I worked in a food manufacturing industry and we used Food safe hose and pipes throughout the plant
What is a food grade hose?
Food grade hoses and tubing are odorless, tasteless, and usually made of PVC, silicone rubber, vinyl, EPDM, or other suitable material. Food grade water hose is the most common and is found in every walk of life. Food grade plastic pipe is often used in the handling of liquid and dry bulk material.
Is PVC hose safe for drinking water?
If you know about polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which has been called poison plastic, you can guess that these hoses not only contain phthalates but they leach these chemicals into the water inside the hose. ... The National Science Foundation discovered BPA 20 times above acceptable levels for drinking water in these hoses.Feb 27, 2015
Are phthalates harmful?
Dangers of Phthalates and DEHP. Phthalates, a family of industrial chemicals used to soften PVC plastic and as solvents in cosmetics and other consumer products, can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs, and reproductive system particularly the developing testes according to animal studies.
Tip Sheet: 6 Simple Steps to Avoid BPA and Phthalates in Food.
Plastics commonly used to make food storage containers can inadvertently leach hormone disrupting chemicals into food and drinks. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical often used in hard plastic bottles and the epoxy resin lining of food and beverage cans.
Very confusing reading the above, It's in Food Containers and cans ??????
I must admit to drinking water from Garden Hoses and filling the odd water tank on a camper and drinking it. Never had any ill affects other than the Tea or Coffee was rubbish and the water, it sometimes tasted awful.
But I have always used Food Grade Hose and piping in my vehicles.
-- Edited by elliemike on Monday 15th of April 2019 10:00:31 AM
My take is that for the extra cost of the "blue" drinking water hose it is not worth worrying about so I use the drinking water hose. Like Doug I use Hoselink fittings with very good results. I took the recommendation from the forum and my bro in law to use a Best filter. I use bottled water for drinking and as a result of all that I have had no issues with tummy upsets while on the road.
-- Edited by Geeco on Monday 15th of April 2019 03:13:14 PM
A big thank you to all who contributed, after reading all the posts I have decided to pay the extra and purchase a drinking water hose rather than the cheaper garden hose
A big thank you to all who contributed, after reading all the posts I have decided to pay the extra and purchase a drinking water hose rather than the cheaper garden hose
Cheers
Wheels (Graham)
Make sure you get a good one, dont fall for the trap of cheap Bunnings Food Grade hose, it is crap. Buy from a reputable caravan supply store.
__________________
Neil & Lynne
Pinjarra
Western Australia
MY23.5 Ford Wildtrak V6 Dual Cab / 21' Silverline 21-65.3
In my humble opinion (I'm not a scientist), I would have thought that if a garden hose is kept out of the sun, used solely for caravan tank filling and flushed before use, there should not be too much of the nasties left? I bought an Aldi blue hose, but it does not say its for drinking water. But I think it will be ok if I store it out of the sun.
Very confusing reading the above, It's in Food Containers and cans ??????
Since the reported that BPA is "bad", a lot (most?) plastic containers state that they are "BPA-free". (probably still find it overseas, but many new containers here no longer have it.)
I do as the "chief" described as well as drinking only bottled water. A little extra in cost but I hate the taste of chlorine in my scotch. Great fan of hoselink products.
