I live on a 48 ft narrowboat – I have to get by on tiny amounts of water, it makes showering difficult
A DIGITAL nomad has revealed one of the biggest challenges she experiences while living on a narrowboat.
Laura (@canalcore) doesn’t have to worry about paying rent while exploring the British waterways in her floating home but has to be mindful of her water consumption.
She has racked up over 161,000 TikTok followers since she began to share life on her 48ft narrowboat, May Moon.
Laura, who works in social media for a global brand, initially was working full-time from home when she purchased her boat.
However, since 2021 the hybrid work requirement now means she has to spend most of her time in London so that she can go into the office at least once a week.
The TikToker said her boat isn’t physically connected to any public utilities including water, which makes having a shower difficult.
Laura said: “The way that I have water access in my home is by continually filling up a water tank.
“There are designated taps along the towpath every few miles but most tanks are only around 500 litres or so.
“I have to be incredibly stingy with water use.
“Some people keep extras in reserves and some people have a special osmosis filtration system, which means you can pour water straight from the canal or river and use it.
“In fact, some people even drink that water.”
Laura explained that having a shower uses the majority of water from the tank.
She continued: “In terms of heating the water, I have a calorifier that uses the byproduct of heat while running the engine to heat water.
“A lot of boats have a gas system for instant hot water but I have a diesel heater which is currently broken.
“The main difference between showering in a boat and in a house is that the plug hole sits below the waterline.
“I have to turn on the special pump that pumps the water out of the hole above the waterline for obvious reasons.”
Laura confessed that she hadn’t filled up her water tank since February.
She has been opting to have a shower at her friend’s house or after going swimming.
She said: “But I’m on my way out of London, so I’m going to have to get my hot water fixed because it’s going to be showering on the boat from now on.
“I am tempted to say that I use a lot less water living on a boat than I did living in a house.
“But to be honest I’ve always been a wash my hair once a week girlie and actually living on a boat and navigating the waterways in itself uses a ton of water.
“Every time I pass through a lock I’m actually using thousands of litres of water.
“But what do you think, could you live without water on tap?”
She added in the caption: “Going down a lock is like flushing a massive toilet #offgridliving.”
Viewers thanked Laura for her inspirational post and offered to let her have a shower at their houses when she goes by.
One person wrote: “One day, I’ll get around to living this life.
“Very inspiring content. Thanks for following. Keep your fingers crossed for me.”
Another said: “I do really enjoy watching all your vids, I know it’s hard work but I’m pretty jealous of your lifestyle living on the boat. It’s pretty awesome.”
A third commented: “I went and looked at a narrowboat today. A fixer-upper one.”
A fourth added: “I’d love to do this one day, must be a totally relaxing way of life.”
Another wrote: “I live right on the canal in Lancaster, if you ever get this far you’re welcome to use our water.
“Me and my partner are going to do this.”