Which Water Filter System is Right For You?

Which Water Filter System is Right For You?

By Steven Nascimento

One of the most important considerations for RV travel is how to ensure access to potable water in the places you explore. Most communities in the United States have reliably safe water, and most RV parks undergo regular testing to ensure compliance, but some hose spigots certainly inspire more confidence than others. We’ve come across questionable water sources during our travels, including at RV parks.

So how can you ensure your drinking water is safe while RVing? The only practical option is investing in a water filtration system. Read on if you’re hoping to decide which system might be best for you.

CAMCO TASTEPURE

Andy Best (@Andy_Best) has traveled extensively using Camco TastePURE filters to fill the freshwater tank on his truck camper. “We never hook directly into our camper, but we use this every time we top off our tanks,” said Andy, who travels full time with his family. “It gives us nice peace of mind and the water is always great.”

These little blue filters are ubiquitous at RV parks, and it’s easy to see why—they’re an economical and efficient way to filter out sediment and get great-tasting water. They’re also easy to replace while traveling—you can find them at most retailers that sell RV products. The filters are proficient at removing the taste and smell of chlorine and are advertised to filter sediment greater than 20 microns. If you’re confident in your water source and just looking to filter out sediment particles and improve the taste of your water, this is a great option.

CLEARSOURCE NOMAD

Diana and Alex of @beerving_america have been using their Clearsource Nomad filter for the past year. Clearsource is one of the most popular manufacturers of multi-stage canister filtration systems. You can use their systems to filter water at the tap, from a natural source, or integrated directly into your RV’s plumbing.

“We really like being able to use the same system to filter water from natural sources and full-hookup RV sites,” said Diana. “It makes getting water on the road super easy.”

The Clearsource Nomad includes an integrated 15-amp pump capable of pulling water from natural sources at a rate of 4.5 gallons per minute, which makes filtering water from your favorite lake or stream almost as fast as turning on the tap.

This type of system typically provides greater protection against sediment and contaminants and can provide protection against things like Legionella, E. coli, and giardia. With an industry-leading 5-micron primary filter and a 0.2-micron secondary filter, Clearsource filters provide true peace of mind for those concerned about what may be in their water.

BERKEY FILTERS

Another great option popular with vanlifers is a countertop carbon filter, and Berkey Filters are the go-to. Ranging in size from 1.5 to 6 gallons, these stylish stainless-steel filters feature a specialized purification process that is time consuming, but effective.

“Life on the road would be much more difficult without our Berkey,” said Chris Harper, who travels full time with his wife, Lisa (@RoveandSwig). “Having the ability to filter water from any source available to us has been critical to our happiness and peace of mind.”

These carbon filters do have some drawbacks. For starters, they take up counter space and need to be secured for transport. You’ll also still want a way to keep sediment from getting into your freshwater tank, as sediment buildup can lead to plumbing issues. Lastly, you’ll need to be diligent about keeping these filters topped off, as the most popular travel model only holds 1.5 gallons and takes 1.5 hours to filter that much water.

When deciding on a water filter, go with whichever option gives you the most peace of mind and fits your rig. The most important thing is that you’re always getting clean water wherever you go! ■