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This sounds like a really dumb question, but last weekend was the first time we've camped at a site with a spring-fed water-tap.  Not knowing what we were dealing with, and OH being both scientifically-minded and naturally cautious, we boiled all our water before using it, which used up a bit of gas (though most of what we used was for boiling anyway, for tea and cooking etc.)

So how 'safe' is spring-water to drink?  Do we need campden tablets if we go again, or is that just being wimpy?  Careful campers need to know...  

FoO

Chani is right. If it is called 'drinking water' it has to be tested regulaly and passed clean for human consumption. Sometimes you see taps (often in public toilets) labled Do Not Drink. This is becase the water has not been tested, not because it comes from a different, grubby source.

So if the site says it is OK to drink, then it must be. Some of the expensive bottled water you can buy, comes directly from a natural source and is not treated with chemicals.

Sarah

did it glow in the dark???

Peckham Spring ??

Quote: Originally posted by 101sal on 16/9/2009

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did it glow in the dark???

 

Peckham Spring ??

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No, but when I poured it into a saucer, I saw the Eye of Mordor...

Thanks for the very helpful replies, folks.  Great advice! 

There were no signs saying whether or not the water was fit to drink, just that it was fed from a natural spring. I think next time I go there we'll go for safety and take bottled water.  It would only be for diluting orange squash or Ribena.  Otherwise the water gets boiled anyway, one way or another, so we'd only need one large container.

FoO

Quote: Originally posted by Gypsydoll on 16/9/2009

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Wimp !  Spring fed water is a delightful treat. Wish we could have that instead of the chemically treated disgusting stuff that tastes like swimming pool water which comes out of our tap at home ! If the site tell you it's drinking water then I really do think it will be quite safe, & probably safer than all the stuff you get out of the mains... each to their own though !

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Hehe!  I'm absolutely with you, Gypsydoll, spring water does taste wonderful... except that this water isn't actually described as 'drinking water'.  The site owners told us they drink it themselves, and have never had a problem, but had also never had it tested.

I'm just on the edge with this.  I'm a pretty basic camper, and would love to embrace the wild, but a part of me is thinking how my weekend could be ruined if I take the risk and my guts go belly-up.  I won't be camping there again until next year, so I may be braver by then!

Do I get the Tough Camper Brownie Badge if I leave the campden tablets behind?

FoO

Quote: Originally posted by the-laughtons on 16/9/2009

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PS If you are a friend of Owls, do you know Christopher Robin too ??

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Of course!  And Captain Jack Sparrow!

FoO

Bottom line spring water OK

But you don’t want to slurp from a stream only to find a dead sheep 50m further on!!!!!

EEK!

Local Authotities have a duty to test private water supplies. The frequency of testing is dependent on how many people are using the supply and what the supply is used for.

As this water is being used on a camp site, it falls into the more stringent catagory of testing and should be sampled once a month. I am certain that the local council will be testing the water at some location, even if it is not on the campsite as the supply may serve a number of properties.

In addition, all campsites need to be licensed by the local authority too. A condition of the license would be a 'relatively' safe drinking water supply.

There is always a risk with drinking untreated water. Even where the water is tested monthly, lots of things can happen to a supply between its tests.

I wouldnt drink it if it was discoloured though as is an indication of contamination. One of the best tests is your own eyes!!

Quote: Originally posted by Tabs-R-us on 16/9/2009

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Bottom line spring water OK

But you don’t want to slurp from a stream only to find a dead sheep 50m further on!!!!!

EEK!

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Certainly not if you're vegetarian! 

Once again, thanks for the replies, folks.  All these responses are great, and I'm pondering every one.

FoO