Mastering Water Management on the Road
As we wrap up the year, we’re still settled into our “brick home” in Meerbusch, taking care of personal commitments, before we hit the road again in February. With Spain, Portugal, and Morocco next on the itinerary, our plans are shaping up for another adventure-filled escape from the European winter.
Some weeks ago, we shared how we tackled energy independence with our electrical system. But power is just one part of staying self-sustained in the wild — water is even more essential.
When we set out to design our overland rig, our dream was clear: to explore remote regions, away from civilization for at least 10 days. We envisioned independence — not just from electrical side but also in terms of water, one of the most crucial resources for off-grid living. After careful planning, we built a water system that ensures both comfort and sustainability, allowing us to stay in the wild longer without needing to resupply.
For those more interested in the photos of our journey, I collected some water related impressions while staying in the wild.
For those interested into hard facts and nice pictures we continue in another more technically focused post about our water system.
Freshwater Storage
A robust 340-liter freshwater tank acts as the heart of our water system. This tank holds enough water to comfortably last us for over two weeks when we’re mindful of usage. It is placed underneath the seating area, strategically between the axles for optimized weight distribution.
Wastewater Management
To manage waste efficiently, we have two separate 100-liter wastewater tanks, each located on opposite sides of the truck:
- Passenger Side: Collects water from the kitchen sink.
- Driver Side: Handles water from the shower, washing machine, and bathroom sink.
This separation optimizes the use of each tank and allows good weight distribution because both tanks are placed between the axles. All tanks are placed inside the living unit to be protected from the cold climate.
Filtration at Every Stage
Water quality and safety are non-negotiable for us, so we’ve installed a multi-stage filtration system to ensure the water we use — whether for washing or drinking — is as clean as possible:
Filling the Tank: Water entering into our system will pass a two-stage filtration process which eliminates particles and impurities (coarse and fine filters). An UV lamp filtration as an additional step neutralizes microorganisms like bacteria and viruses.
Using Water from the Tank: Another two-stage filtration process ensures the water remains clean and safe as it flows from the tank.
Drinking Water: For drinking we have a separate hose in the kitchen. Prior exiting this hose the water passes through an additional filter, which operates at an 0.1-micron filtration level. This advanced filter removes even the smallest contaminants, giving us the confidence to drink water straight from our tank — no need to rely on bottled water.
Water Usage
On average, we use about 5–10 liters per person per day, which includes drinking, cooking, and cleaning. With this conservative usage, we can stretch our water supply beyond 15 days when necessary by cutting back on non-essentials like long showers or washing.
Unlike electricity, which provides about five days of independence without replenishment and can be harvested via solar panels or recharged while driving, water cannot be easily replenished on the road. This is why we’ve prioritized extended water independence in our rig’s design.
The Dry Separation Toilet
One of the smartest decisions we made was installing a dry separation toilet. This system separates solid and liquid waste, significantly reducing odors and making waste management much simpler. It’s an eco-friendly, practical choice for life on the road because we avoid usage of any chemicals.
The Perfect Balance of Comfort and Independence
Our water system is designed to align seamlessly with our overall self-sustainability concept.
By combining our energy and water systems, we’ve created a rig that allows us to explore further, stay longer, and remain comfortable in even the most remote corners of the world. When we limit ourselves to essentials, we can extend our off-grid capability well beyond 15 days.
It’s a constant balancing act — reducing water and energy consumption without sacrificing too much comfort — and it’s one that makes every journey more rewarding.
Do you dream of living off the grid? Let us know your tips or questions about sustainable travel in the comments!
Explore. Dream. Discover.