# Hot water and tanks in a ProVanWorks grooming van A ProVanWorks grooming van carries a large fresh water reservoir, delivers hot water to the tub in very low winter temperatures, and collects used bath water in a separate grey water tank. The reservoir sits in the utility area at the back of the van, inside the insulated and heated cargo area, so it is protected from the cold. ## Where is the water stored in the van? The fresh water reservoir sits in the utility area at the back of a ProVanWorks grooming van, next to the auxiliary battery bank. Putting it there keeps the water close to the tub and inside the heated part of the van, where it won't freeze while you work. The grey water tank sits under the floor below the tub, so bath water drains down into it. ## How big are the water tanks? Tank sizes in a ProVanWorks grooming van are custom. We size the water reservoir for a full day of bathing, within what the van or trailer can safely carry, since water is heavy: every litre weighs about a kilogram. The grey water tank is the same size as the reservoir or larger, because shampoo foam and hair take up room too. When you ask for a quote, tell us how many dogs you groom in a day and the breeds you see most. A day of doodles and double-coated dogs uses far more water than a day of small, short-coated dogs, and that decides the tank size. ## How does the van keep hot water working in winter? Hot water works in a ProVanWorks grooming van in very low winter temperatures because the water supply lives inside the insulated, heated van. The in-floor and in-wall heat and the heat exchangers keep the cargo area warm, the thermostat holds that temperature, and the reservoir in the utility area stays inside that warmth. How the tub water is heated is set for each build: from the main heater through a heat exchanger, or with a separate water heater. The lines to the tub run inside the heated area, are heat-traced, or both. Cold water straight from a reservoir in a cold van is hard on a dog in January. Warm water makes the bath faster and the dog calmer, and it helps shampoo rinse out of thick coats. ## What happens to the grey water? Grey water is the used bath water, with shampoo, dirt and hair in it. In a ProVanWorks grooming van it drains from the tub into its own grey water tank, so nothing runs onto a client's driveway or into the street. Empty the grey water tank at an approved disposal point or into a sanitary sewer connection. Never empty it into a storm drain: across Canada, storm drains usually flow straight to creeks, rivers or the ocean without treatment. Your city or regional district can tell you which disposal sites accept it. Our guide to [starting a mobile grooming business](/guides/start-mobile-grooming-business-canada/) covers this along with licences and insurance. ## Why does the van have a waterproof floor? Bathing dogs gets water everywhere, and in winter you also track in snow, slush and road salt. A ProVanWorks grooming van has a waterproof floor that takes all of it, wipes clean, and keeps water away from the insulation and the in-floor heat underneath. ## How do I store the van overnight in a cold snap? The safest overnight storage in deep cold is with the heat running or the van parked somewhere above freezing. If neither is possible, drain the water system before you leave it. Ask us for the right routine for your van and your climate, and see the checklist for cold nights in our [winter mobile grooming guide](/guides/winter-mobile-grooming/). ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I fill the grooming van's water tank from a garden hose? Usually yes. Fill the reservoir with a drinking-water-safe hose, not a regular garden hose, which can leave a taste and other residue in the water. In winter, many outdoor taps are shut off, so plan where you'll fill up. ProVanWorks vans fill through a standard garden-hose connection. ### Does the grooming van need to be plugged in to have hot water? No. A ProVanWorks grooming van makes its own heat and runs on its own batteries, so you don't need to plug into the client's house. You can still top up the batteries at a [Level 2 EV charger](/mobile-grooming-vans/power-and-ev-charging/) between appointments.