🚐 Campervan Water Systems – A Beginner’s Guide

A well-designed water system makes life on the road cleaner, easier and more comfortable.
Whether you’re planning a simple setup with jerry cans or a full hot-water system with pumps and tanks, this guide explains everything you need to know.

👉 Browse our full water system range:
https://highpeakconversions.co.uk/category/water-equipment/campervan-water-management/

1️⃣ Types of Campervan Water Systems

There are three common levels of water setup in van conversions:

🔹 Level 1: Basic Manual System

Perfect for beginners, day vans, micro campers, or simple weekend setups.

Includes:

• Fresh water container

• Waste water container

• Manual hand pump or foot pump

• Small sink

Pros:
✔ Cheapest option
✔ No wiring required
✔ Easy to install and maintain

Cons:
✘ No pressurised water
✘ Not ideal for showers

🔹 Level 2: 12V Pumped System (Most Popular)

This is the setup used in 80% of campervans.

Includes:

• Fresh water container or tank

• Submersible or inline 12V pump

• Tap with micro-switch or pressure switch

• Waste water container

• Basic plumbing (food-grade hose, clips, adapters)

Pros:
✔ Running water from your tap
✔ Silent pumps available
✔ Very easy to wire and plumb
✔ Works great for kitchens

Cons:
✘ Limited pressure
✘ Pump needs replacing every few years

🔹 Level 3: Pressurised & Hot Water System

Ideal for full-time campers or anyone wanting a shower.

Includes:

• Fixed fresh & waste tanks

• High-quality pressure pump

• Accumulator tank (optional but recommended)

• Calorifier or electric water heater

• Shower mixer & pipework

Pros:
✔ Proper water pressure
✔ Supports hot water
✔ Great for showering & washing up

Cons:
✘ More space required
✘ Requires careful planning
✘ Higher cost

2️⃣ Fresh Water Storage Options

You have three main choices depending on van size and layout:

🟩 Portable water containers (10–25L)

Best for small vans and simple builds.

Pros:

• Removable for easy filling

• Cheap

• No permanent installation

Typical size: 10–20L per container.

🟦 Onboard water tanks (34–100L+)

Mounted inside or under the van.

Pros:

• Much larger capacity

• Cleaner look

• Ideal for long trips

• Works well with hot water systems

Consider if you need:

• A shower

• Long stays off-grid

• More than 20L/day usage

🟨 Underslung tanks

Great for saving interior space (commonly for waste).

Notes:

• Must be insulated in cold climates

• Requires secure brackets

• Good option for grey water

👉 Explore tanks, pumps & fittings:
https://highpeakconversions.co.uk/category/water-equipment/campervan-water-management/

3️⃣ Water Pumps Explained

You’ll choose between two main types of 12V pump:

🔹 Submersible pumps (inside the tank)

Simple, quiet, cheap and reliable.

Best for:

• Small to medium campervans

• Tap with micro-switch

Pressure: Low (~0.6–1.2 bar)

🔹 Inline or diaphragm pumps (external)

Provide higher pressure and flow.

Best for:

• Shower systems

• Hot water setups

• Taps without micro-switches

Pressure: Medium–High (1.4–3 bar)

Tip: Add an accumulator tank to reduce pump cycling and noise.

4️⃣ Taps & Switches

Your tap determines whether the pump runs:

🟩 Micro-switch tap

Switch built inside the tap.
Pump runs only when the lever is lifted.

Works with:
✔ Submersible pumps

🟦 Pressure-switch system

Pump activates when the tap opens and pressure drops.

Works with:
✔ Inline/diaphragm pumps
✔ Modern flexible setups

5️⃣ Waste Water (Grey Water) Systems

There are 3 main options:

🟥 Basic container under the sink

Most common for day vans and simple builds.

🟧 Under-van underslung tank

Cleaner and more professional, ideal for bigger builds.

🟨 External portable tank

Used on campsites to store larger waste volumes.

6️⃣ Suggested Layouts (Beginner Friendly)

⭐ Simple Kitchen Setup (Most Common)

• 10–20L fresh tank

• Submersible pump

• Micro-switch tap

• 10–20L waste tank

• Food-grade 12mm hose

• 12V feed & 5A fuse

Perfect for basic cooking, handwashing, brushing teeth.

⭐ Shower & Kitchen Combo

• 50–70L fresh tank

• 30–50L underslung waste

• Inline pump + accumulator

• Hot water heater (gas/electric)

• Mixer shower tap

• Ventilation over shower

Great for off-grid camping.

Simple John Guest plumbing layout for a basic sink installation.

7️⃣ What Size Fuse & Cable for the Pump?

Most 12V pumps draw:

• Submersible pumps: 1–3A → 5A fuse, 1 mm² cable

• Inline diaphragm pumps: 4–7A → 10A fuse, 1.5 mm² – 2 mm² cable

Keep cable runs short and use waterproof connectors inside the tank area.

8️⃣ Water System Safety Tips

✔ Use only food-grade hose
✔ Avoid garden hose — it tastes awful
✔ Add a non-return valve to prevent backflow
✔ Secure every hose with stainless clips
✔ Protect pumps from dry running
✔ Use PTFE tape on threaded fittings
✔ Don’t overtighten plastic connectors

9️⃣ Recommended Products

We supply:

• Fresh & waste water tanks

• Submersible & inline pumps

• Taps & micro-switch taps

• Food-grade hose & fittings

• Showers & accessories

• Water inlets & connectors

👉 Browse water system components:
https://highpeakconversions.co.uk/category/water-equipment/campervan-water-management/

🔟 Summary

A well-designed water system makes your camper feel like home.
Start simple if you’re a beginner, or build a fully pressurised system if you want hot water and showers.

Recommended setup for most vans:
➡️ 10–20L fresh tank
➡️ Submersible pump
➡️ Micro-switch tap
➡️ Waste tank under sink

Easy to build, reliable and cost-effective.