Food Grade Hoses for Campervan Water Systems
Not all hose is created equal. Using non-food-grade hose in your campervan water system can leach chemicals into your drinking water. Here is everything you need to know about buying the right hose in the UK.
Why Food Grade Matters
Standard PVC hose and garden hose are not made for drinking water. They contain plasticisers (phthalates), stabilisers, and manufacturing residues that leach into water, especially when the hose sits in a warm van in summer. The taste is the first sign — that "plastic water" taste is real. Food grade hose is made from materials that do not leach chemicals. In the UK, the standard is BS 6920 (suitability for contact with drinking water) or WRAS approval (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme). A WRAS-approved hose has been tested to ensure it does not taint water or release harmful substances.
Hose Types for Campervans
| Hose Type | Material | WRAS Approved? | Flexibility | Price per metre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear PVC braided hose | PVC + polyester braid | Some brands | Good | £2-4 | Fresh water fill |
| Semi-translucent hose | Polyurethane | Yes | Excellent | £4-6 | Internal plumbing |
| Reinforced rubber hose | EPDM rubber | Yes | Good | £6-10 | Heater plumbing |
| Silicon hose | Silicone | Some brands | Excellent | £8-12 | Hot water lines |
| PEX pipe | Cross-linked PE | Yes | Stiff | £3-5 | Permanent runs |
Best Sizes for Campervan Plumbing
| Application | Internal Diameter | External Diameter | Fitting Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh water fill (from tap) | 12mm (1/2") | 16mm | John Guest speedfit |
| Internal cold water | 10mm | 14mm | John Guest / push-fit |
| Internal hot water | 10mm | 14mm | John Guest / push-fit |
| Sink drain | 32mm | 38mm | Slip-on with jubilee clip |
| Heater coolant | 12-15mm | 16-19mm | Jubilee clip |
Where to Buy Food Grade Hose in the UK
| Supplier | Location | WRAS Selection | Price | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capling UK | Birmingham | Yes, wide range | £3-8/m | capling.co.uk |
| BES.co.uk | National | Yes, labelled | £2-6/m | bes.co.uk |
| Screwfix | National (trade counter) | Some | £3-5/m | screwfix.com |
| Toolstation | National (trade counter) | Some | £3-5/m | toolstation.com |
| Whale (caravan specialist) | Northern Ireland | All Whale hose | £4-10/m | whale-uk.com |
| eBay (specialist sellers) | Various | Check listing | £2-5/m | ebay.co.uk |
The John Guest System
The standard for campervan plumbing is John Guest speedfit fittings. They are push-fit — push the pipe in, a collet grips it, done. No tools, no glue, no soldering. They work with 10mm and 15mm pipe (the 10mm is the most common for vans). Why John Guest is standard:
- Push-fit connection takes 5 seconds
- Can be disconnected and reconnected multiple times
- No leaks if installed correctly (the O-ring seals)
- Available in every UK plumbers merchant and caravan shop
- Compatible with all WRAS-approved pipe
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It Is a Problem | The Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using garden hose | Contains plasticisers, UV degrades it quickly | Buy WRAS-approved clear hose |
| Using too small a diameter (6mm) | Water flow is slow, pump struggles | Use 10mm minimum for cold water |
| Using too large a diameter (22mm) | Hard to route, expensive fittings | 10mm for internal, 12mm for fill |
| Not using pipe inserts | John Guest fittings can kink thin pipe | Insert a plastic pipe support (£0.30 each) |
| Mixing copper and plastic | Copper can degrade plastic fittings | Use plastic throughout |
How Much Hose You Need
A typical campervan water system uses:
- Fill hose: 1-2 metres (from the external water inlet to the tank)
- Tank-to-pump: 0.5-1 metre
- Pump-to-outlets: 3-5 metres (distributed to sink, shower, and exterior tap)
- Overflow / vent: 1-2 metres Total: 6-10 metres of 10mm hose, plus 2 metres of 12mm fill hose. Budget £30-50 for the hose and fittings.
Maintenance
- Replace the hose every 5-7 years. UV light degrades clear PVC hose over time. It goes cloudy, brittle, and can crack.
- Sanitise the system annually with Milton fluid (baby bottle steriliser, £3, one tablet in 10L of water). Run it through the system, leave for 30 minutes, flush with fresh water.
- If the water tastes of plastic, the hose has degraded. Replace it with WRAS-approved hose.
Verdict
Buy WRAS-approved hose from Capling or BES.co.uk for £3-5 per metre. Use 10mm John Guest speedfit fittings for internal plumbing and 12mm for the fresh water fill. Replace the hose every 5-7 years. Sanitise annually with Milton. The total cost for a full van water system is £30-50 in hose and fittings — do not save £10 by using non-food-grade hose.
