Storing drinking water in PVC

[Lorgar]

I'm looking at adding some water storage to the 4WD.

One or two 150mm PVC pipes seems like it will do what I want, and it seems a fair amount of drivers have adopted this.

Anything to know about run of the mill PVC, chemical leeching wise, or otherwise.

I'm also assuming a thread tape to seal everything would be better suited for drinking water than a silicon seal.

Any info appreciated. Cheers.

[Gamerancher]

Like any drinking water storage , keeping it clean and refreshed is best. Always fill from known quality water source and don't let it sit unused. Domestic P.V.C pipe is quite acceptable to use for drinking water, after-all it is used from your gutter to your tank if you are using your rainwater as your supply. Use the proper cement for gluing the ends on. A visit to the local plumbing supply shop will get you the right fittings for adding a tap and filling port. 1.5 metres of 150mm will give you roughly 26 litres of water. Be aware that if you put that on the roof rack you're adding 50 odd kilos up there. If you have two that is.

[<<Genesis93>>]

Vinyl chloride is simply a Hydro-carbon compound with a chlorine atom attached....

Hang on... Cyanide molecule is a single Carbon atom attached to a Nitrogen atom

But seriously....most, at a guesstimate perhaps 90+% of new watermains..are ......PVC

[Oldbloke]

Not sure, but some plastics leach into the water if it's left in the sun. A good example is a garden hose, water tastes like plastic if its left in the sun. Just suggest you check it out.

Generally accepted food grade plastics.

1 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) ...
2 High density polyethylene (HDPE) ...
3 Polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC) ...
4 Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) ...
5 Polypropylene (PP) ...
6 Polystyrene (PS) ...
7 Other (usually polycarbonate)

[Gwion]

My main concern with it would be UV stabilisation. Some PVC is, some isn't uv stabilised. Would affect longevity and I am unsure but would be suspect of chemical contaminants as the material degrades.
In the short term and in all other respects I agree that ther should be no issue.

[<<Genesis93>>]

Many plastics are permeable, the PE containers for example, so there may be some transmission into (air/oxygen other chemicals perhaps) but PVC pipes are un-plasticised(U-PVC pipe), so they dont have the nasty? plasticising chemicals added...

[Lorgar]

Thanks guys,

In answer to the various bits above.


There won't be a problem with leaving it unused to go stale, or a fresh source water. The tank(s) will be filled from a residential water source and only kept for 3-4 days at the most, typically less.

Air/sun dried after use and sealed again before next time.


Weight has been accounted for.

I'm currently using 85kg (static) of 150kg limit.

I'm looking at 110cm x 15cm pipes, approx 20L / 20kg per. One or possibly two pipes, to be decided still.

The water load will be become more dynamic with the declining water level, but as the weight is going down accordingly I figure the 65kg of capacity I have left will be plenty.


Will check regarding UV stabilisation before I purchase.

A cover of some sort would be easy enough to drap over as well to protect from direct sunlight.


Gamerancher, any specifics on what the "proper" cement would be?

[Oldbloke]

Standard plumbers glue should be OK. But watch it, sets very fast say 5 seconds or so.

[on_one_wheel]

Make sure you tell the plumbing shop what you're using it for.

Some pvc has "led free" printed on it which might indicate that some contains led.

I've made a 20 ltr one that sits snug, full length in my roof cage with a short hose. It's 100 mm pipe with an inspection T at the back for filling.
The inspection T is made nice and heavy which was good for drilling and mounting the hardware for the hose barb.
I used normal pvc primer and glue and marked out how far the joins would push on so I could be really neat with the priming and gluing, that pink and blue stuff can look unsightly if done sloppy.
After 2 years the un painted pvc seems to be holding up very well in direct sunlight.
I had a fancy little breath in it but it spat droplets out while I was driving so I unscrewed that and replaced it with an ear plug. If I want more than a splash of water the ear plug comes out and I get full flow.

I only use mine for washing my hands and it's kept full using tap water.
It gets dumped about once every few months and I've never had an issue with algi or smells.

[Bent Arrow]

All of them above info makes sense, but I'm not sure why you would want a fixed tank? I'm not saying it's a bad idea, just struggling to see the advantage over portable containers?

[Chronos]

PVC is quite brittle, a solid whack from a stone or tree branch could see you without water.

Check out these stores on ebay and you may decide a proper tank is worth a few extra bucks

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Ballistic4x4? ... 7675.l2563

http://stores.ebay.com.au/turnover-plas ... 7675.l2563

Steve

[Hatter]

PVC is quite brittle, a solid whack from a stone or tree branch could see you without water.

Free car wash when it happens though?

[Baronvonrort]

I would fit a tank which would give a lower centre of gravity better aero for the hwy and less likely to damage it

[<<Genesis93>>]

The only thing 'brittle' is Chronos' grasp on facts...

[on_one_wheel]

The only thing 'brittle' is Chronos' grasp on facts...

Them there are fighting words ...

I busted a downpipe the other day with a stone launched by the wiper snipper.

Pvc is reasonably brittle.

[Gwion]

The only thing 'brittle' is Chronos' grasp on facts...

Them there are fighting words ...

I busted a downpipe the other day with a stone launched by the wiper snipper.

Pvc is reasonably brittle.

**Eating popcorn and waiting for the inevitable response as to how 'brittle' is technically the wrong term to describe PVC piping's lack of inherent toughness and resilience to impact.....**

[<<Genesis93>>]

The only thing 'brittle' is Chronos' grasp on facts...

Them there are fighting words ...

I busted a downpipe the other day with a stone launched by the wiper snipper.

Pvc is reasonably brittle.

**Eating popcorn and waiting for the inevitable response as to how 'brittle' is technically the wrong term to describe PVC piping's lack of inherent toughness and resilience to impact.....**

corrrrrrrrrrrect!

Measured in 'hoop stress' and stiffness..

There are classes of PVC (uPVC) pipe from run of the mill drainage-vent-waste through Sewer grade to Pressure rated generally from PN12 (1.2MegaPascal)....

Guns only have a limited range...no more than 50-75m...100m on a good day.... Hows that statement

[Lorgar]

I would fit a tank which would give a lower centre of gravity better aero for the hwy and less likely to damage it

Obviously that would be ideal, and if feasible I'd do it.

As it is I only have limited spare on the roof rack to work with.

Rear passenger and boot space is already all spoken for. The roof is it.