RV Water Filtration 101
When you are constantly plugging into the water system at a new campsite day after day, you want to know that you’re going to have clean, good-tasting water to drink. While campsites are required to deliver potable water, it may not be the good-tasting water you crave. A water filtration system can help you know with confidence that you will enjoy the water you have, no matter where you are camping. This guide will discuss how to choose a water filtration system and why you need one for your well-being while out on the road.
Why Water Filtration is Important for Your RV System
When you pull into a new campsite, one of the first things you will do is plug into the electrical and the water system. You will run the campsite’s water through your RV’s water system. If you’re using the Nautilus System, you can plug into city fills or water fills, and you can also handle your black water flushing through one unit.
Yet just because the water is potable does not mean it is distilled to true purity. Sometimes, that will mean water that has an unpleasant taste, odor, or color. Water filtration can help protect against this.
Choosing the Right Type of Filtration System
Not all filtration systems are created equal. There are a few different ways to filter the water for your RV. These include:
- External water filtration – This type of filtration is installed on the hose that connects city water to the RV. An external water filtration system removes particles from the RV water supply. These are also called inline filters.
- Internal Water Filters – Internal water filters are installed within the RV near the point where the water enters. Because these are inside, they can have a larger capacity than external filters.
- Hybrid Filtration Systems – Hybrid systems have an external water filter to start the filtration system, then an additional filter near the kitchen sink to further filter the drinking water. This means you have fresh-tasting drinking water and also cleaner water for other needs, without the need to fully filter the water you use for your shower or dishwasher.
In addition, you can break down water filtration into these additional types:
- Reverse Osmosis System – This is the cleanest option for your RV but also causes a lot of water waste.
- Berkey Style Water Filters – This countertop option has a small filter tank and a spout to dispense the filtered water, and it also is quite clean.
- Canister Filters – These send the water through several filters before sending it to your faucet.
No matter which of these you choose, they will all help you enjoy cleaner water. Consider where you could most conveniently place the filter and how pure you want the water to be.
Choosing the Right Type of Water Filter
In addition to the type of filtration system, you will need to choose the right type of water filter. To choose, first consider the micron measurement of the filter. Particles in water are measured in tiny measurements known as microns. The smaller the micron measurement, the more effective the filter.
Next, consider the flow rate. Small micron measurements have a direct impact on how well the water can flow through the filter and into your RV’s faucets. A small micron measurement can also impact water pressure. You want to balance the flow rate with microns to find the right system.
Finally, consider the life of the filtration system. You will need to change filters from time to time, so make sure you know how often this will be needed.
Water filtration gives you peace of mind that every time you turn on the faucet, you will have clean, tasty water to drink. Consider adding one to your plumbing system before you hit the road again.
