Cheap water supply for OTR driving?

[candun]

For you experienced OTR drivers, where do you get your water for drinking or any other use?

I'm not overly picky about the quality of my water so long as it isn't nasty. At home, I'm perfectly happy with water from the tap and I never buy bottled water because it is expensive and wasteful. On the road, however, I'm not sure what to expect as far as water quality at truckstops, rest areas, etc.

Also, even if I'm happy with the quality of tap water, are truck stops likely to let me fill up jugs of water from their sinks or water fountains?

I would like to think I can just carry several large jugs of water and refill them as needed wherever I am (will not be home frequently enough to refill there). If I don't like the taste I can get a filter pitcher to run it thru before drinking it. Is that a realistic plan?

[ls57racer]

Originally Posted by candun

For you experienced OTR drivers, where do you get your water for drinking or any other use?

I'm not overly picky about the quality of my water so long as it isn't nasty. At home, I'm perfectly happy with water from the tap and I never buy bottled water because it is expensive and wasteful. On the road, however, I'm not sure what to expect as far as water quality at truckstops, rest areas, etc.

Also, even if I'm happy with the quality of tap water, are truck stops likely to let me fill up jugs of water from their sinks or water fountains?

I would like to think I can just carry several large jugs of water and refill them as needed wherever I am (will not be home frequently enough to refill there). If I don't like the taste I can get a filter pitcher to run it thru before drinking it. Is that a realistic plan?

You are over thinking or extremely tight....Stop at Walmart and pick up 1 gal jugs when you run out...

[River17]

Originally Posted by ls57racer

You are over thinking or extremely tight....Stop at Walmart and pick up 1 gal jugs when you run out...

ls57racer

That is an excellent idea.
I hope it is not against his religion to shop at WalMart.
I buy my 1.5 liter water bottles by the case from
Trader Joe's and they only cost $0.49 per bottle.
That is what I call a real bargain.
I don't drink tap water at home because of the heavy minerals,
so I buy bottled water from Smith's supermarket.
But many moons ago when I used to drive OTR, i carried a water jug
and had it filled with ice and water at the truckstop restaurant
by the waitress. I assume they still do that, although many drivers can't afford the prices at a sit down restaurant now a days.

[River17]

We have three posts here so far and only TWO votes in the poll.

[truckinusa]

you could get something like this and you can drink any water. Katadyn Pocket Microfilter - NWBackpack.com

[candun]

ls57racer and River17,

Thanks for the input. I don't think I'm overthinking it, just looking before I leap. Now as for being extremely tight, you'd be correct. I am currently buying my groceries consistently at about 72% off the normal price because I stockpile when things are on sale with coupons. After nearly a year of unemployment, I am definitely looking for the CHEAPEST way to live on the road.

That's the value of these forums. Truckinusa introduced me to a new type of filter I hadn't thought of that might be more truck friendly than the traditional pitcher and on another forum I discovered that highway reststops have free water spigots. As good as it is to buy 1.5 liters of water at Trader Joes for $0.49, an endless supply of FREE water available every couple hundred miles throughout the country sounds even better!