How to Find and Store Safe Drinking Water While Camping
Water is one of those things you don’t think about much when you’re camping until you’ve run out of it.
A bottle of water in the car is easy enough. A campsite with a drinking-water tap is easier still. But once you’re walking further from the facilities, camping away from a tap or planning a longer trip, you need to think a little more carefully about where your water is coming from.
The important thing is not simply finding water.
You need to know whether it’s safe to drink, whether it needs treating first and how you’re going to carry enough of it for the trip.
That becomes particularly important if you’re camping somewhere remote or using a natural water source. A stream can look perfectly clean and still contain microorganisms or other contaminants that you can’t see.
This guide explains how to find drinking water while camping, when you can use it without additional treatment, what to consider with natural water sources and how to store it safely once you’ve collected it.
Start With Safe Water Where You Can
If you’re staying at a campsite with a marked drinking-water tap, that’s usually the easiest option.
You don’t need to turn every camping trip into a water-treatment exercise if there is a reliable drinking-water supply available.
Check the campsite information before you leave and find out whether drinking water is available. Some sites have taps around the campsite, while others may have a dedicated drinking-water point.
If you’re unsure whether a tap is for drinking, ask the campsite staff.
Don’t assume that every outdoor tap is suitable for drinking just because water comes out of it.
For a weekend campsite trip, taking enough water with you and topping up from a known drinking-water supply is often all the planning you need.
How Much Water Should You Take Camping?
There isn’t one useful number that works for every camping trip.
How much you need depends on things such as:
How long you’re away
The weather
How active you’ll be
Whether you’re hiking or staying close to camp
Whether you’ll be cooking
Whether water is available at the campsite
How much water you’re carrying
Whether you’re camping with children or dogs
A warm day spent walking several miles will obviously require more planning than a cool weekend where you’re parked next to a campsite tap.
Don’t just think about drinking, either.
You’ll need water for cooking, making hot drinks and potentially washing hands or cleaning equipment.
The easiest way to avoid problems is to work out your likely needs before you leave and find out where your next reliable water supply will be.
Don’t Rely on Finding Water When You Arrive
If you’re heading somewhere you’ve never camped before, don’t assume there will be a convenient stream, tap or spring nearby.
Maps can show water features, but that doesn’t necessarily tell you whether the water is suitable for drinking.
A stream may be seasonal. A spring may be difficult to reach. A campsite listed online may have changed its facilities.
If you’re going somewhere remote, plan your water supply in advance rather than treating natural water as your backup plan.
For a short trip, carrying what you need from home may be the simplest option.
Can You Drink Water From a Stream?
This is where camping water safety gets a little more complicated.
Natural water can look incredibly clean.
Clear water isn’t necessarily safe water.
Streams, rivers, lakes and springs can contain microorganisms or other contaminants even when there is no obvious sign of pollution. Contamination from human or animal faeces is a particular concern because it can introduce organisms that cause illness.
So don’t use appearance alone to decide whether water is safe to drink.
If you’re collecting water from a natural source, treat it appropriately before drinking unless you have a reliable reason to know that the source is safe.
Choose Your Water Source Carefully
If you do need to collect water outdoors, look at the area around the source before filling your bottle or container.
Avoid water that:
Has an unusual smell
Has an oily film
Looks heavily polluted
Is close to obvious sources of contamination
Is stagnant when a better flowing source is available
Has dead animals or other signs of contamination nearby
A flowing stream is not automatically safe, but a clean-looking source away from obvious contamination gives you a better starting point for treatment.
If you’re unsure about a water source, don’t use it.
A Water Filter Can Be Useful
A camping water filter can make carrying water for longer trips much easier.
Instead of taking every litre you’ll need from home, you can carry a smaller amount and treat water when you need it.
There are different types of filters, ranging from simple bottle filters to more substantial systems designed for backpacking and longer trips.
The important thing is to understand what your particular filter is designed to remove.
A filter isn’t necessarily a magic solution for every possible contaminant.
Check the manufacturer’s specifications and use the filter according to its instructions.
Some filtration systems are designed primarily for removing particles and microorganisms, while other types of treatment may be needed for particular chemical contaminants.
Filtering and Purifying Are Not Always the Same Thing
This distinction is worth understanding before you head into the countryside with a new filter.
Filtration physically removes contaminants that the filter is designed to capture.
Disinfection uses a method such as boiling, chemicals or UV treatment to inactivate microorganisms.
Some camping products combine filtration and other forms of treatment. Others don’t.
That means you should look at exactly what a product is designed to do rather than assuming that the word “filter” means the water is automatically safe for every situation.
If you’re relying on a filter for a particular trip, understand its limitations before you leave.
Boiling Water While Camping
Boiling is one method that can be used to treat water when you have a suitable way of heating it, but it should not be treated as a guarantee that water from an unknown source is safe to drink.
Boiling can deal with many microorganisms, but it does not remove harmful chemicals or other types of contamination. This is why the source of the water still matters. If you’re unsure about the quality of a natural water source, don’t assume that boiling alone makes it suitable for drinking.
If you are using boiling as part of a water-treatment method, follow reliable guidance for the situation and take care when handling hot water, particularly around tents, children and other camping equipment.
What About Water Purification Tablets?
Purification tablets can be useful when carrying a stove isn’t practical or when you want another treatment option in your camping kit.
Different products work in different ways, so follow the instructions on the packaging carefully.
Pay attention to:
How much water the treatment is designed for
How many tablets or drops are required
The required contact time
Whether the water needs filtering first
How the treated water should be stored
Don’t guess the dosage.
If you’re carrying purification tabletsTablets as an emergency backup, check the expiry date before you leave.
UV Water Purifiers
UV treatment is another option used by some campers and backpackers.
These devices use ultraviolet light to treat water, but they generally require the water to be reasonably clear and the device to be used correctly.
If the water is cloudy or full of sediment, follow the manufacturer’s guidance rather than assuming the UV treatment will work in exactly the same way.
As with filters and chemical treatments, read the instructions before you actually need to rely on the equipment.
Don’t Forget Your Water Containers
The container you use is just as important as the water you put into it.
Use containers that are intended for drinking water and keep them clean.
Avoid using containers that have previously held fuel, cleaning chemicals or other substances.
Keep drinking-water containers separate from fuel bottles and other potentially contaminated equipment.
It’s also worth having a simple system at camp so you know which containers contain drinking water and which are being used for washing or other jobs.
Keep Your Drinking Water Separate From Dirty Water
Once you’ve collected water from a stream or other natural source, you don’t want the outside of your collection container contaminating everything else.
If you’re using a filter or treatment system, follow its instructions carefully and avoid mixing untreated and treated water.
It can help to think of your setup as having a clean side and a dirty side.
Untreated water goes into one container.
Treated water goes into another clean container.
That sounds overly cautious until you’ve spent ten minutes treating water only to pour it back into a bottle that still has untreated water residue inside.
How to Store Drinking Water at Camp
Once you’ve got safe drinking water, keep it that way.
Store it in clean, closed containers and keep them somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight where practical.
Keep drinking water protected from contamination and avoid leaving containers open unnecessarily.
Don’t put the drinking-water bottle directly on muddy ground if you can avoid it.
And don’t share the same container between drinking water and other campsite jobs.
Don’t Leave Water Bottles Open Around Camp
Camping is dusty, muddy and generally quite good at finding its way into things you thought were clean.
A bottle sitting beside your tent with the lid off can quickly collect dirt, insects or bits of campsite debris.
Keep containers closed when you’re not using them.
If you fill a bottle for later, put the lid on straight away.
It’s a small habit, but it helps keep your drinking water cleaner.
Water for Cooking Counts Too
It is easy to think about drinking water and forget that you’re also putting water into food and hot drinks.
If you’re making tea, coffee, porridge, pasta or dehydrated meals, use water that is suitable for consumption.
The same applies to water used for brushing your teeth.
If you are unsure about a natural water source, don’t treat it as safe simply because you’re going to boil it briefly for a cup of tea unless you’ve followed an appropriate treatment method.
What About Water for Washing?
You don’t necessarily need drinking-quality water for every campsite job.
Washing muddy boots, rinsing equipment or cleaning some outdoor gear can use water that isn’t suitable for drinking, provided you’re following sensible hygiene practices.
The important thing is to keep that water separate from your drinking supply.
Water collected for washing shouldn’t end up back in your clean drinking-water containers.
Carry Enough Water for the Journey
Water planning shouldn’t stop once you’ve reached the campsite.
If you’re heading out for a walk, take enough water with you rather than assuming you’ll find somewhere to refill.
This is especially important in warm weather or when you’re walking somewhere with few reliable water sources.
A hydration bladder can be useful for longer walks, while bottles are simple and easy to keep track of.
Whatever you use, make sure you know how much water you’re carrying before you leave camp.
Think About Water Before You Head Home
If you’ve treated water during the trip, don’t automatically leave a collection bottle or filter sitting dirty until your next camping weekend.
Clean and dry reusable containers according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Look after filters as well.
Some filters need cleaning, drying or replacement after use. Others should not be allowed to freeze because trapped water can damage the filter element.
Check the instructions for your particular system rather than assuming every camping filter works in the same way.
What If You Run Out of Drinking Water?
This is where planning matters.
If you realise you’re running low, don’t wait until you’ve completely emptied your last bottle before doing something about it.
Work out where your next reliable water supply is and how long it will take to reach it.
If you’re walking, consider changing your route rather than pushing on without enough water.
If you’re camping with other people, make sure everyone knows that the water supply is getting low.
And if the only available water source is one you’re not confident about, treat it properly rather than drinking it untreated because you’re thirsty.
Water Planning for Wild Camping
Wild camping requires more thought because you usually cannot rely on campsite facilities.
Before setting off, look at your route and identify potential water sources.
But treat those sources as potential collection points rather than guaranteed drinking water.
You need to know:
Where the source is
Whether it is likely to be available
Whether you can safely reach it
What treatment method you will use
How much water you need to carry between sources
What your backup plan is if the source is unusable
This is particularly important in dry weather, when smaller streams and springs may not be flowing.
Don’t Assume a Spring Is Safe
Springs have a reputation for being naturally pure.
That isn’t something you should rely on without knowing the source.
Water can become contaminated before it reaches the point where it emerges from the ground.
If a spring is not a known, tested drinking-water supply, treat it as an untreated natural source.
The same applies to streams, lakes and other water features.
Water Safety When Camping Abroad
If you’re camping outside the UK, be even more careful about assuming that tap or natural water is safe to drink.
Water quality and sanitation standards vary between countries and locations.
Research your destination before you travel and find out whether tap water is safe to drink.
If it isn’t, use bottled or appropriately treated water for drinking, brushing your teeth and preparing food.
For travel where safe water may not be readily available, UK health guidance recommends considering suitable water treatment equipment such as an appropriately rated filter or chemical treatment.
A Simple Camping Water Setup
For a straightforward campsite trip, you may only need:
Several reusable drinking-water bottles
A larger water container for camp
A separate bottle or container for treated water if required
A suitable camping filter if you need to use natural sources
Water purification tablets as a backup
A reliable method of heating water if you plan to use boiling as part of your treatment method
A way of keeping clean and untreated water separate
For a remote trip, your setup may need to be more comprehensive.
The important thing is to match your water system to the trip rather than carrying a complicated collection of equipment you don’t actually need.
Camping Water Checklist
Before you leave
Check whether your campsite has drinking water
Find out where the nearest reliable water sources are
Work out how much water you’ll need
Check the weather
Take enough water for the journey
Check your bottles and containers are clean
Check your filter and treatment equipment
Check purification tablets are in date
If you’re collecting natural water
Choose the cleanest practical source
Avoid obvious contamination
Don’t assume clear water is safe
Keep untreated water separate from treated water
Filter or otherwise treat the water appropriately
Follow the instructions for your treatment equipment
At camp
Keep drinking water in clean, closed containers
Store it away from direct sunlight where practical
Keep drinking water separate from washing water
Use safe water for cooking and hot drinks
Don’t leave bottles open unnecessarily
Before heading out for the day
Check how much water you’re carrying
Take enough for the route and conditions
Know where your next reliable water supply is
Don’t rely on an untested natural source without a treatment plan
Camping Water FAQs
Can you drink water from a stream while camping?
You shouldn’t assume that stream water is safe simply because it looks clean.
Natural water can contain microorganisms and other contaminants that aren’t visible. If you need to use water from a stream, treat it appropriately before drinking.
Is boiling water enough to make it safe?
Not necessarily.
Boiling can kill or inactivate many microorganisms, but it does not remove harmful chemicals or every possible type of contamination. If you’re collecting water from a natural or unknown source, you still need to consider the condition and location of the source and use an appropriate treatment method.
If you are unsure whether a water source is suitable for drinking, it is better to use a known safe supply rather than relying on boiling alone.
Do I need a water filter for camping?
Not necessarily.
If you’re camping at a site with a reliable drinking-water supply and you’re taking enough water with you, you may not need one at all.
A filter becomes more useful when you’re camping remotely or planning to collect water from natural sources.
Are camping water filters safe?
A suitable filter can be very useful, but you need to understand what it is designed to remove.
Check the manufacturer’s specifications and follow the instructions carefully. Different filters provide different levels and types of treatment.
How should I store drinking water while camping?
Keep drinking water in clean, closed containers and protect it from contamination. Store it somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight where practical.
Can I drink water from a natural spring?
Don’t assume that spring water is safe simply because it comes from a natural source.
Unless the spring is a known, tested drinking-water supply, treat the water as untreated and use an appropriate treatment method before drinking.
How much water should I take camping?
It depends on the trip.
Consider the weather, activity levels, cooking, the number of people camping and how easily you can access another reliable supply.
The more remote the trip, the more important it becomes to plan your water supply rather than relying on finding water along the way.
What should I do if I run out of drinking water?
Find a reliable water source and treat the water appropriately before drinking it.
If there is no suitable source nearby, change your plans rather than relying on untreated water.
For longer or more remote trips, always have a water plan before setting off.
The Best Water Plan Is the One You Don’t Have to Worry About
You don’t need to make drinking water complicated for every camping trip.
If you’re staying at a campsite with a reliable drinking-water supply, take enough water with you and use the facilities provided.
If you’re heading somewhere remote, things are different.
Plan your sources, carry enough water between them and understand how your filter, purification tablets or other treatment method actually work before you need them.
And remember that clear water isn’t necessarily safe water.
A little planning before you leave is much easier than trying to solve a water problem when you’re already thirsty, several miles from the car and wondering why you didn’t fill that extra bottle.