Water filters are a great solution for RVers who worry about the quality of water from campground faucets and other sources. As we traveled around the Southwest this winter, we met many RVers who refused to drink water from their RV's fresh-water tank. In Why, Arizona, campers told us the local water contained high levels of arsenic. They advised us to restrict our fresh-water tank to nondrinking purposes like bathing if we filled from a local tap. Drink instead from bottled water, they said. In fact, a commercial purified-water vending machine is located next to the Why community center.
But that precaution is unnecessary if you use a filter. Most filters available at Camping World and other RV supply outlets claim to significantly reduce arsenic as well as lead, iron, mercury, cysts and many other contaminants. Prices range from about $25 to $100. You can opt for an under-the-sink filter or an exterior one designed to attach to your water hose.
Under-the-sink systems involve some installation hassles, and of course they don't filter water that enters the holding tank. For those reasons, we prefer the exterior version. The directions warn against allowing the filter to freeze, so in cold weather we either stow the filter inside the shower stall and snake the hose out the window to the connections, or we don't hook up the hose at all and just turn on the water pump. The filter we use, Hydro Life Model HL-180, has to replaced just once a year.
Even with an exterior filter, you should periodically sanitize your RV's fresh-water tank and water lines, because bacteria can grow there (sanitation procedures are described in the RV owner's manual and in RVing articles.)
Just to be doubly safe, we also re-filter water intended for drinking that comes out the faucets in our trailer. Again, two choices: a filter mounted directly on the faucet, or a pitcher with the filter incorporated. Some faucet-mount systems allow the user to conserve filter capacity by turning it off for uses other than drinking, such as watering plants and washing dishes. We're currently using a Brita faucet-mount filter, which we bought at Wal-Mart for $38. The filter is good for 100 gallons. Replacement filters for our model cost about $20.
If you're concerned about a particular contaminant, be sure to check the label on the carton before purchasing a filter to see if the unit reduces that contaminant. Our Hydro Life, for instance, lists arsenic, but the Brita model does not.
Besides giving us peace of mind, our filters make the water we drink taste great.
But that precaution is unnecessary if you use a filter. Most filters available at Camping World and other RV supply outlets claim to significantly reduce arsenic as well as lead, iron, mercury, cysts and many other contaminants. Prices range from about $25 to $100. You can opt for an under-the-sink filter or an exterior one designed to attach to your water hose.
Under-the-sink systems involve some installation hassles, and of course they don't filter water that enters the holding tank. For those reasons, we prefer the exterior version. The directions warn against allowing the filter to freeze, so in cold weather we either stow the filter inside the shower stall and snake the hose out the window to the connections, or we don't hook up the hose at all and just turn on the water pump. The filter we use, Hydro Life Model HL-180, has to replaced just once a year.
Even with an exterior filter, you should periodically sanitize your RV's fresh-water tank and water lines, because bacteria can grow there (sanitation procedures are described in the RV owner's manual and in RVing articles.)
Just to be doubly safe, we also re-filter water intended for drinking that comes out the faucets in our trailer. Again, two choices: a filter mounted directly on the faucet, or a pitcher with the filter incorporated. Some faucet-mount systems allow the user to conserve filter capacity by turning it off for uses other than drinking, such as watering plants and washing dishes. We're currently using a Brita faucet-mount filter, which we bought at Wal-Mart for $38. The filter is good for 100 gallons. Replacement filters for our model cost about $20.
If you're concerned about a particular contaminant, be sure to check the label on the carton before purchasing a filter to see if the unit reduces that contaminant. Our Hydro Life, for instance, lists arsenic, but the Brita model does not.
Besides giving us peace of mind, our filters make the water we drink taste great.
4 comments:
It would be nice if the maufactures would incorporate an exterior,insulated filter compartment
I've just purchased a 2007 Monaco Signature. As with many Monaco models, it comes equipped with a heated bay for fresh water and holding tanks. They are also equipped with water filters in the heated bay. Mine also has additional Ozone water filters (an option) located in the heated bay.
My Holiday Rambler Imperial has two inline filters. If I uses the filters (avaolable at Lowe's or Home Depot) the water pressure drops to unusable levels.
Been using a Nature Pure from CWorld going on ten years. Gooseneck on sink plus hooked to U-line icemaker. No problems, would feel save in pumping water from a pond or stream if needed. Takes care of much more than just taste.
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