Before you begin
Gather the equipment recommended in your owner’s manual, work in a safe and well-lit area, and check campground rules before using shared utilities or facilities.
Step-by-step instructions
1 Step 1
Start with your usable fresh-water capacity, planned trip length and a reserve for emergencies.
2 Step 2
Check for dripping faucets, running toilets and water-pump cycling that could indicate leaks.
3 Step 3
Use short showers: wet down, turn water off while soaping, then rinse. A functioning shower shutoff can help.
4 Step 4
Wash dishes in a basin instead of running the tap continuously; scrape food into the garbage first.
5 Step 5
Use a small amount of water to brush teeth and clean produce; do not reuse contaminated water for drinking.
6 Step 6
Track fresh, grey and black tank levels daily and learn how reliable your tank sensors are.
7 Step 7
Carry additional potable water only in food-safe containers and secure it within the RV’s weight limits.
8 Step 8
Plan legal refill and dump stops before you run low. Never discharge grey water where prohibited.
Detailed Canadian RV guide
The following practical details expand on the quick steps above. Equipment differs between motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers and truck campers; use the instructions for your particular RV and components whenever they differ.
Calculate your practical supply
Start with the usable fresh-water tank capacity, not simply the advertised size. Account for water reserved for drinking, cooking, washing and the toilet, plus the grey and black tanks that must receive the wastewater.
For example, a 150-litre tank shared by two people over three days provides a theoretical 25 litres per person per day before accounting for unusable residual water. Your actual budget depends on tank configuration and habits.
Make showers and dishes efficient
Use a navy-style shower: wet down, turn water off while soaping, then rinse. Catch the initial cool water in a clean container for suitable non-drinking uses if practical. Fix dripping faucets and choose low-flow fixtures compatible with the RV pump.
For dishes, scrape plates first, wash in a small basin and rinse in a controlled stream. Do not pour greasy dishwater outdoors unless local rules explicitly allow it.
Manage the toilet and tanks
Follow the toilet manufacturer’s minimum flush-water requirements; using too little can lead to black-tank buildup. Consider how water savings affect wastewater capacity, not just fresh-water use.
Monitor tanks before travel and before remote camping. Tank sensors can be unreliable, so learn your RV’s actual usage patterns rather than trusting one dashboard reading.
Keep drinking water safe
Water conservation should never mean drinking questionable water or reusing contaminated grey water for food preparation. Use potable sources and maintain clean fill hoses and tanks.
Carry an emergency drinking-water reserve in approved containers. If a source is subject to a boil-water advisory, follow the authority’s directions; ordinary RV carbon filters do not reliably disinfect water.
Build a daily water budget
Measure a typical shower, dishwashing session and toilet usage during a weekend trip. Compare those totals with tank capacity, then set a realistic daily target for each person.
During Canadian shoulder seasons, watch for freezing hoses and closed fill stations. Plan your refill and dump opportunities before heading into a remote area.
Dry camping in Canada
Many provincial and national parks have limited or no hookups. Fill before arrival, use water-saving habits and check where potable water and dump stations are located along your route.
Continue learning
All RV Basics guides →Complete How-To Library →RV Repair Guides →