Plumbing
Your RV has a water system that supplies clean water for cooking, bathing, and all those other activities that require fresh, clean water. You have three tanks on your RV: a freshwater tank, a gray water holding tank, and a black water holding tank.
ALERT
Plumbing leaks are common in RVs due to the constant movement when on the road and the use of poor insulation in an attempt to keep weight down. Check your plumbing lines and fittings frequently as leaks can lead to mold and rot in the floors and walls of your rig.
Fresh Water
Your fresh water is supplied either by the water you carry on board in the freshwater tank in your RV or from the public water supply you are hooked up to in your campground (or in your driveway). If you are using your onboard water supply, an electric pump will get it to the faucet. The public water supply is based on water pressure and will not use a pump. Carry your own freshwater hose with you for hooking up to the public water supply. Buy one that is designed to carry drinking water — an ordinary garden hose should not be used. Make sure you have a good length of hose, as some water spigots are shared and it may be a distance to your RV's freshwater intake valve.
While most public water systems in the United States are safe to drink, some rural RV parks may get water from their own wells. This water may contain things you don't want in your drinking water. You can add an inline water filter to your freshwater hose. It will remove large particles and minerals. If you are truly concerned about the water having bacteria, you can boil it.
ESSENTIAL
If you travel to Mexico, always assume the public water system is unsafe and undrinkable. Drink only bottled water from a reputable source or carry your own with you. Keep your mouth closed when showering to avoid swallowing any water accidentally.
Mold and bacteria are prone to grow in warm, wet places and can contaminate the water in your onboard freshwater tanks. This tank and the plumbing that flows from it needs to be cleaned and sterilized monthly. You can buy chemicals for this purpose at any RV supply store. Follow the directions carefully to be sure all the chemicals are removed prior to filling it with fresh water for drinking.
Gray Water
The gray water tank collects waste water from your kitchen sink, shower, and bathroom sink. If you have a camping site with full hookups, you can drain your gray water directly into the campground sewer system. If you do not have full hookups, you will drain your gray water at the dump station at the camp or at some other location with a dump station. Always dump the gray water after the black water to help rinse out the discharge hose. Conserve water to decrease the possibility of having to dump your tank before you are ready to travel; it is much easier just to do it on the way out. Some campers choose to use the showers provided onsite to help reduce the amount of gray water.
You may be tempted to just let this waste water drain out onto the ground. Remember, though, that this water can be ecologically toxic as it contains soaps and detergents.
Black Water
Black water is the water and waste that is flushed by the RV toilet. It is dumped into the sewer system either at your site or at a dump station. If you have a sewer outlet at your site, don't keep the outlet open at all times but open it to drain when the tank is about three-quarters full. This will help to keep the waste liquefied and prevent clogs. Chemicals you place in the holding tank periodically also help break down waste and keep it from clumping. Cleaning out clogged black water tanks is a dirty, messy business and is best avoided if at all possible.
