Proposal:Hiking water source

Hiking water source
Proposal status:	Proposed (under way)
Proposed by:	Fractale
Draft started:	2024-10-03

Proposal

This tag is used to mark water sources along hiking trails where hikers can refill water bottles or containers. The water may not always be safe to drink directly, and hikers may need to use water filters, purification tablets, or other treatment methods. The tag is specifically intended for marking natural water sources like springs, streams, or other refill points that are valuable for outdoor activity planning.

Rationale

The proposed "hiking_water_source" tag addresses an important gap in OpenStreetMap (OSM) for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable information on where they can find water during hikes. Currently, there is no dedicated tag for marking water refill locations specifically aimed at hikers. While the "drinking_water" tag exists, it is primarily intended for potable water sources, implying that the water is safe to drink without treatment. However, many natural water sources on hiking trails (such as streams, springs, or lakes) require filtration or purification before consumption, and using the drinking_water=no tag doesn’t fully capture the value of these sources for hikers.

Hikers often plan their routes based on the availability of water, especially in remote areas where sources are scarce. Marking these spots is essential for trip planning, safety, and conservation of water resources in the wild. Many hiking guidebooks and maps highlight these refill points, so providing this data in OSM would significantly improve the information available to the hiking community.

Tagging

The proposed "hiking_water_source" tag addresses an important gap in OpenStreetMap (OSM) for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable information on where they can find water during hikes.

Examples

John Muir Trail (California, USA) – Spring near Muir Pass

his trail is renowned for its remote wilderness and high elevation. Near Muir Pass, there is a natural spring where hikers often refill their bottles before continuing. This spring is a critical water source in a remote section of the John Muir Trail, helping hikers manage their water needs in high-altitude terrain.

hiking_water_source=yes
hiking_water_source:type=spring
hiking_water_source:treatment_needed=yes
hiking_water_source:flow=perennial
hiking_water_source:capacity=moderate

Features/Pages affected

drinking_water

Comments

Please comment on the discussion page.