If you live out of your RV, either part of the season or year-round, then you need to take all the comforts of home with you. This includes clean, safe, potable water. With so many different water filter technologies available, however, and such a wide selection of products on the market, where do you start? Not to worry–we’ve got you covered. When choosing an RV filter for your needs, keep the following considerations in mind.
Just as you would choose an air filter based on known contaminants in the air, water filters should target common contaminants. Some of the most common undesirable substances in water include chlorine and other disinfectants, and sediment. Furthermore, you want to remove harmful minerals such as lead and chromium, volatile organic compounds, PFAs, and various microorganisms and harmful parasites. The most common treatment method across a wide spectrum of contaminants is a combination of a sediment filter and activated carbon. For a more robust filtration option, these two can be paired with an ultrafilter, or reverse osmosis membrane.
What do you primarily use your RV’s water systems for? Drinking water? Showering and dishes? Using appliances such as coffee makers and CPAP machines? Your filter choice will depend largely on your target use. If you use your water heavily for showering and appliance use, you may want to consider a filter with a descaler. Sometimes inaccurately called “salt-free water softeners,” descalers work through inhibiting calcium and magnesium from forming scale or lime deposits on faucets and in pipes. It does this by converting the minerals into non-soluble microcrystals. These are space-efficient alternatives to traditional water softeners.
How much of the year do you spend in your RV? If you are a full-time explorer, living out of your rig, then a larger, multi-stage system is probably what you need. If you only take your RV out for a month each season, however, then a smaller, in-line filter may be sufficient for your needs.
Water quality across the country varies quite dramatically. In fact even within the same state or region, we often see a range of water quality. This depending on local usage, geographical conditions, and other factors. Do some research on your intended destinations. Some states, such as Florida and Michigan, still have a high proportion of lead pipes in use in their water distribution systems, for instance. If you are mainly using well water in your travels, it may be wise to consider a filtration system capable of filtering out microorganisms and disease-causing cysts.
There are a lot of options on the market when it comes to choosing an RV filter. However, there’s no need to be intimidated. Nearly all systems will begin with a sediment filter and some form of activated carbon. Provided those elements are in place, there are a variety of options for the best filtration for your needs. However, remember that there is no “one-size-fits-all” filtration system. Always consider the specifics of your situation and needs when considering what filter to buy.
