Water and camp showers

Water is the one supply you can't do without. In much of inland Australia, reliable water sources are far apart, summer temperatures are extreme, and a breakdown can leave you waiting a long time for help. Carrying enough water, keeping it clean and using it wisely is fundamental to safe remote travel.

This guide covers planning how much water to carry, storage options, treatment, camp showers and looking after the environment.

Planning how much to carry

Think about every use: drinking, cooking, cleaning teeth, washing dishes and washing yourself. Needs vary enormously with temperature, activity and personal habits. Drinking needs rise sharply in hot weather and when you are active. Add a reserve for unexpected delays, such as a breakdown, closed road or flooded crossing.

Then consider where you can resupply. In remote areas, check which roadhouses, towns and campgrounds have drinkable water and whether supplies are reliable. Park authorities and remote-travel advice for specific areas, such as desert parks, often provide guidance on water to carry. Our trip kit planner calculates a total based on the daily allowance, days and number of people you enter.

Storage options

• Jerry cans: food-grade plastic jerry cans are affordable, portable and let you split supplies. Use cans meant for water only, never ones that have held fuel or chemicals.
• Water bladders: soft bladders fit into odd spaces and fold flat when empty, but can be punctured.
• Fixed tanks: under-vehicle, in-cabin or canopy tanks keep heavy water low and secure, often with a 12V pump and tap.
• Bottles: individual bottles for drinking during the day and in a grab bag for emergencies.

Spread water across more than one container, so a leak or puncture doesn't leave you with nothing. Water is heavy: a litre weighs about a kilogram, so large quantities have a big effect on payload. Carry it low and secured.

Keeping water clean

Clean containers before each trip with a suitable sanitiser, and rinse thoroughly. Fill from reliable drinking water supplies where possible. Keep taps, hoses and lids clean, and store containers out of direct sun to limit algae and plastic taint.

Treating water

Water from creeks, rivers, rainwater tanks and some bores can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites, or be contaminated by animals or chemicals. If you need to use untreated water:

• Boiling is a reliable way to kill disease-causing organisms. Bring water to a rolling boil.
• Filters remove bacteria and protozoa, and some remove viruses. Check what each filter removes and follow the instructions.
• Chemical treatments such as tablets can disinfect water, but need time to work and are less effective in cloudy water.
• UV treatment devices kill organisms in clear water.

Filter or settle cloudy water first. No treatment removes all chemical contamination, so avoid water that may be polluted. Health authorities advise boiling water if in doubt.

Pumps and taps

12-volt pumps make drawing water from tanks and jerry cans easy. Fit a filter on the pump inlet, use food-grade hoses and keep a spare fuse. A simple hand pump or tap is a reliable backup.

Camp showers

A hot shower at the end of a dusty day is a great comfort. Options include:

• Solar shower bags: black bags that warm water in the sun. Cheap and simple, but slow and weather-dependent.
• 12V pump showers: a small pump draws water from a bucket heated on the stove.
• Portable gas hot water systems: heat water instantly as it flows, connected to a gas cylinder and a 12V or battery pump.
• Engine-heat exchangers: use engine coolant heat to warm water.

Use a shower tent for privacy and set up well away from waterways. Gas hot water units must be used outdoors in a well-ventilated area, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Saving water

• Wet, turn off, soap, rinse in a "navy shower".
• Wash dishes in a small tub rather than under a running tap.
• Use wipes for quick cleaning where showers aren't practical, and pack them out.
• Reuse washing-up water for soaking pots.

Grey water and the environment

Follow park rules for grey water. In general, use minimal biodegradable soap, strain food scraps out and take them with your rubbish, and scatter grey water on the ground well away from creeks, lakes and campsites. Never wash with soap directly in waterways. Use toilets where provided, or bury human waste in a deep hole well away from water, or use a portable toilet where required.

Breakdowns and emergencies

If you break down in a remote area, stay with your vehicle, which provides shade and is far easier for searchers to find. Ration water sensibly but drink enough to stay hydrated. Keep out of the sun and minimise exertion in the heat. Use a satellite phone or messenger or UHF radio to call for help, and activate a registered personal locator beacon (PLB) if your life is in danger. Register your PLB free with AMSA.

Water in your recovery plan

Water also matters for vehicles. Carry some water for topping up radiators and cleaning, and know where your vehicle's coolant can be checked.

Common mistakes

• Underestimating water needs in heat.
• Carrying all water in one container.
• Using old fuel cans for water.
• Drinking untreated creek water.
• Leaving the vehicle to walk for help.

Water for pets

If you travel with dogs, include their water in your calculations, as they need plenty in hot weather. Check whether pets are allowed before you go, as dogs are banned from many national parks.

Testing water quality

If you rely on bore or tank water at stations and campgrounds, ask whether it is suitable for drinking. Water that looks clear can still carry organisms, and some bore water is too salty or high in minerals to drink. Treat or boil it if in doubt, and carry enough drinking water from reliable supplies.

Key points

Plan water for every person and use, add a reserve, store it in clean, food-grade containers split across several vessels, treat natural water, use showers and soap sparingly away from waterways, and stay with your vehicle if you break down.