Van Life Water Systems UK 2026: Complete Guide to Tanks, Pumps, Filtration & Plumbing
Water is the thing you do not notice until it runs out. A well-designed water system transforms van life from juggling bottles and queuing at campsite taps to a seamless experience where you turn a tap and water comes out.
I have built three different water systems in two vans. The first used a 5L jerry can and a hand pump — functional but annoying. The second used a 25L under-sink tank with an electric pump — better but the tank wasted valuable kitchen space. The third used a custom T-piece tank behind the wheel arch, a Shurflo pump, and a heat exchanger for hot water. That is the one I recommend.
This guide covers everything from the simplest setup to a full pressurised system with hot water.
The Minimal System (Weekender)
Cost: £40–80 | Install time: 30 min
A 5–10L jerry can with a manual pump lid. That is it. Fill at campsite taps or petrol stations. Use a basin for washing up. Dump grey water into a separate container.
This works for weekend trips. For anything longer, it becomes tedious.
- Jerry can with pump lid: £15–25
- Separate grey water container: £5–10
- Biodegradable washing-up liquid: £4
The Basic Electric System (Part-Time)
Cost: £100–200 | Install time: 2–4 hours
A fixed fresh water tank, a 12V diaphragm pump, a tap, and a grey water container.
Components
| Component | Budget Option | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh water tank | 20L rectangular (£25) | T-piece 25L behind wheel arch (£40) | T-piece tanks save cupboard space |
| Pump | Jabsco manual (£20) | Shurflo 12V diaphragm 3L/min (£35) | Shurflo is the standard for UK vans |
| Tap | Manual foot pump (£15) | Whale electric tap (£45) | Electric is more convenient |
| Hose | Clear PVC 12mm (£5/m) | Food-grade silicone 12mm (£8/m) | Silicone has no plastic taste |
| Connectors | Push-fit (£10) | John Guest push-fit (£20) | John Guest is easier |
Fresh Water Tanks
Where you put the tank determines your usable kitchen space.
- Under-sink rectangular: Easiest install, takes 20L–30L, eats cupboard space
- T-piece behind wheel arch: 25L–35L, fits in the void behind the passenger-side wheel arch in a Transit Custom. Requires a custom tank (Vangear, or make your own from HDPE)
- Under-floor: 40L–60L, mounted under the van. Requires winter drain-down. Metal brackets can rust.
- Seat base: 15L–25L, fits under a passenger seat. Good for small vans.
For most Transit Custom and Sprinter builds, a T-piece tank behind the wheel arch is the best balance of capacity and space saving.
Pumps
The Shurflo 12V diaphragm pump (Model 4008 or similar) is the standard. It draws 2–3A, delivers 3L/min at 30 PSI, and handles the air pockets that inevitably get into van plumbing. Cost: £30–40. Spare parts (valves, diaphragms) are available at any caravan dealer.
Faucets
- Manual foot pump: Simple, no battery drain, reliable. £15–25.
- Electric tap: Press a button or lift a lever. Draws ~1A when running. Convenient. £35–80.
- Pull-out kitchen tap: Like a domestic kitchen. Good for filling kettles. £20–40.
The Full System (Full-Time + Hot Water)
Cost: £300–800 | Install time: 1–2 days
Adds a hot water system and a permanent grey water tank.
Hot Water Options
| Option | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle / camping kettle | £10 | Cheap, simple, uses gas | Manual, limited volume |
| Heat exchanger from engine coolant | £50–150 | Free hot water while driving | Only works when engine runs |
| Gas water heater (Truma, Rinnai) | £400–700 | Unlimited hot water | Gas Safe required, expensive |
| Immersion heater on 12V | £80–150 | Uses solar/battery power | Slow, draws significant current |
| Diesel water heater (Webasto Thermo Top) | £800–1,200 | Hot water + cabin heat combined | Very expensive, complex install |
For most UK van lifers, a heat exchanger from the engine coolant is the sweet spot. It costs £50–100, works while you drive (which UK van lifers do regularly in winter to charge batteries), and provides all the hot water you need for washing up and a quick shower.
How A Heat Exchanger Works
A plate heat exchanger is plumbed into the engine's coolant circuit. When the engine runs, hot coolant circulates through the heat exchanger. Cold water from your fresh tank flows through the other side and exits at 40–60°C.
Installation: T-piece into the heater hose in the engine bay (usually the one going to the cabin heater matrix). Route two 15mm water pipes into the van to the heat exchanger. Connect cold water in and hot water out.
Grey Water System
Grey water (sink/shower waste) must be collected. Dumping it on the ground is illegal and antisocial.
- Simple: 5L–10L jerry can under the sink. Dump at campsite waste points. £5.
- Intermediate: 20L grey water tank mounted under the van. Connect sink drain via 20mm hose. £40–60.
- Full: 30L–50L grey water tank with a dump valve (cable-operated or electric). Mounted between the chassis rails. £80–150.
Water Filtration
UK campsite water is generally safe to drink, but it can taste of chlorine or pick up pipe flavours. A simple in-line filter (£10–20) before the tap improves taste significantly.
| Filter | Type | Cost | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear2O in-line | Carbon block | £12 | 6 months |
| Dometic water filter | Carbon + sediment | £20 | 1 year |
| Britta jug | Pour-through | £20 | 1 month (for drinking water only) |
Winter Freeze Protection
This is the biggest UK-specific gotcha. When the temperature drops below 0°C, water in your pipes freezes, expands, and bursts fittings.
Prevention
- Drain the system: If the van is not in use, open the drain valve on the fresh water tank and run the pump until dry.
- Insulate pipes: Use 10mm pipe lagging (Armaflex) on all exposed pipe runs. In a Transit Custom, the pipes under the van near the wheel arch need particular attention.
- Tank location: An interior tank (under sink or in a seat base) is less likely to freeze than an under-floor tank. If you have an under-floor tank, drain it below the outlet so expanding ice has room to rise.
- Hand pump option: A manual pump system is freeze-tolerant — the pump itself is the only part that can freeze, and it is easy to thaw.
If the system freezes
Do not run the pump. Do not boil water to pour on the pipes. Thaw gradually with a hairdryer or by parking the van in a warmed space. A frozen water system almost always bursts at a push-fit connector — carry spare John Guest fittings.
Installation Guide
Fresh Water Tank
- Position the tank as high in the van as possible (gravity assist for the pump)
- Fit a 12mm outlet at the lowest point of the tank
- Fit a 20mm filler inlet on the exterior of the van (like a caravan filler cap)
- Fit a vent pipe (6mm) from the top of the tank to outside — prevents vacuum when pumping
- Secure the tank with stainless steel straps — not mild steel, they rust
Pump Installation
- Mount the pump near the tank (sucks better than pushes)
- Use flexible hose between tank and pump (vibration dampening)
- Fit a strainer between tank and pump (stops debris entering the pump)
- Wire the pump through a switch (near the tap) and fuse (5A)
- Fit a pressure accumulator (small expansion vessel, £15) after the pump — smooths flow and reduces pump cycling
Tap and Pipes
- Use 12mm John Guest push-fit pipe (colour-coded: blue for cold, red for hot)
- Keep runs straight and short
- Clamp pipes every 30cm with P-clips
- Fit an isolation valve at each appliance
- Test with water before fitting the final pipe runs behind walls
FAQ
Q: How much water do I need per day? A: 5L–8L per person per day for drinking, cooking, and washing up. Add 10L–20L for a shower. A 30L tank lasts 2 people about 3–4 days without a shower, 1–2 days with.
Q: Can I drink water from my van tank? A: Yes, if you use food-grade components (tank, hose, fittings) and clean the system every 3–6 months. Use a 1:10 bleach solution or Milton tablets. Flush thoroughly.
Q: How do I clean my water system? A: Drain the tank. Fill with 10L of water + 100ml of thin bleach. Run through the pump and tap for 2 minutes. Leave for 1 hour. Drain. Refill with fresh water and flush. Do this every 3 months.
Q: What water tank fits a Ford Transit Custom? A: A T-piece tank behind the passenger-side wheel arch (25L–35L). Vangear and Kiravans sell custom tanks for the Transit Custom. An under-sink rectangular tank (20L) also fits if you sacrifice lower cupboard space.
Q: Do I need hot water in my van? A: No, but it is a huge quality-of-life upgrade. Washing up in cold water is grim in winter. A heat exchanger (£50–100) is cheap and simple to install.
Q: Can I shower in my van? A: Yes, with a wet room or shower tray, but it uses significant water and space. A 10–15L shower (using a 12V immersion heater or heat exchanger) is a light shower. A solar shower bag on the roof is the simplest option.
