Keep Your Water Safe and Tasty in Your RV: Filters
09-19-2017
Author: in The Road Less Traveled
Sometimes referred to as "Montezuma's Revenge," people often joke about the cleanliness of the drinking water in third-world countries, but intestinal distress from a contaminated source is no laughing matter. Fortunately, most of us live in areas that provide plenty of access to clean H2O, but just how “fresh” is the water in your RV's fresh water tank?
When you're traveling, you're likely to obtain your water from multiple sources, which makes it difficult to know precisely how pure the water that comes out of your RV's faucets really is. Although many campgrounds provide municipal water, others get their supply from wells or other natural sources. Plus, if you RV part-time, you may be incubating a whole colony of bacteria in your tank as the water stagnates between uses. Therefore, in addition to sanitizing your tanks, you should install a good quality water filter or two.
Generally, 50 to 65% of the human body consists of water. In fact, your body uses water in all its functions. The cells, organs, and tissues require adequate hydration. It also is necessary to regulate the body's temperature and maintain other bodily functions like respiration and digestion. It helps you think clearly, metabolize swiftly, and removes toxins from your system.
Plus, using pure water to clean your living area reduces the germs found on surfaces, thereby reducing the likelihood that the residents will get sick.
Even when you're strict about only filling your tanks with "potable" water, it's advisable to use good-quality water filters in your RV. Often, water systems experience contamination and residents aren't notified until weeks after the problem has been solved. As one perhaps just passing through, you may be exposed to contaminated water and not even realize it until you get sick. Fortunately, there are several types of filters that provide a range barriers to bad water, `within a range of prices.
Filter at the Source: To purify all the water in the RV, you need to filter it before it goes into the tanks. A filter that attaches to the exterior water hose will do the trick. An inexpensive option is an inline unit that combines carbon filtration and sediment removal. These are simple to install, but require frequent replacement if you use your motorhome regularly.
Another option—perhaps a better one for full-time use—is a multi-canister filtration system. Each canister handles a different task in the filtration process from sediment and chemical removal to improving the taste. These are more expensive, but they last longer than inline filters.
Filter at the Tap: If you're primarily concerned with your drinking water, you can install a filter under the sink that attaches to the hose that leads to the kitchen faucet. There are also counter-top versions. These are available in several variations, such as reverse osmosis, carbon filter, and UV light filters. Depending on the model you get, you can count on your water to be free of sediment, bacteria, micro-organisms, and minerals, as well as taste good.
Filter Your Drinking Water: Another option, and perhaps the least expensive of all, is to get a filtration tank or pitcher to keep in your refrigerator. This allows you to pour unfiltered tap water directly into the vessel where a—usually—carbon filter purifies the water for drinking. Depending on the size of the vessel, it may take up quite a bit of your refrigerator space, but it provides tasty, cold drinking water.
In Conclusion
As a full or part-time RVer, traveling around the country can be quite the adventure, and staying properly hydrated is a cornerstone to good health. One thing that can turn your adventure into a near-disaster is getting sick from contaminated water. Fortunately, with a few healthy habits and a good-quality filtration system, that is one aspect of travel that you don't have to suffer through. Drink up!
When you're traveling, you're likely to obtain your water from multiple sources, which makes it difficult to know precisely how pure the water that comes out of your RV's faucets really is. Although many campgrounds provide municipal water, others get their supply from wells or other natural sources. Plus, if you RV part-time, you may be incubating a whole colony of bacteria in your tank as the water stagnates between uses. Therefore, in addition to sanitizing your tanks, you should install a good quality water filter or two.
Related Read: Conserving Water When You Are a Full-timer
Importance of Clean WaterGenerally, 50 to 65% of the human body consists of water. In fact, your body uses water in all its functions. The cells, organs, and tissues require adequate hydration. It also is necessary to regulate the body's temperature and maintain other bodily functions like respiration and digestion. It helps you think clearly, metabolize swiftly, and removes toxins from your system.
Plus, using pure water to clean your living area reduces the germs found on surfaces, thereby reducing the likelihood that the residents will get sick.
Related Read: The RVers Guide to Drinking Water
Choosing a Water FilterEven when you're strict about only filling your tanks with "potable" water, it's advisable to use good-quality water filters in your RV. Often, water systems experience contamination and residents aren't notified until weeks after the problem has been solved. As one perhaps just passing through, you may be exposed to contaminated water and not even realize it until you get sick. Fortunately, there are several types of filters that provide a range barriers to bad water, `within a range of prices.
Filter at the Source: To purify all the water in the RV, you need to filter it before it goes into the tanks. A filter that attaches to the exterior water hose will do the trick. An inexpensive option is an inline unit that combines carbon filtration and sediment removal. These are simple to install, but require frequent replacement if you use your motorhome regularly.
Another option—perhaps a better one for full-time use—is a multi-canister filtration system. Each canister handles a different task in the filtration process from sediment and chemical removal to improving the taste. These are more expensive, but they last longer than inline filters.
Filter at the Tap: If you're primarily concerned with your drinking water, you can install a filter under the sink that attaches to the hose that leads to the kitchen faucet. There are also counter-top versions. These are available in several variations, such as reverse osmosis, carbon filter, and UV light filters. Depending on the model you get, you can count on your water to be free of sediment, bacteria, micro-organisms, and minerals, as well as taste good.
Filter Your Drinking Water: Another option, and perhaps the least expensive of all, is to get a filtration tank or pitcher to keep in your refrigerator. This allows you to pour unfiltered tap water directly into the vessel where a—usually—carbon filter purifies the water for drinking. Depending on the size of the vessel, it may take up quite a bit of your refrigerator space, but it provides tasty, cold drinking water.
In Conclusion
As a full or part-time RVer, traveling around the country can be quite the adventure, and staying properly hydrated is a cornerstone to good health. One thing that can turn your adventure into a near-disaster is getting sick from contaminated water. Fortunately, with a few healthy habits and a good-quality filtration system, that is one aspect of travel that you don't have to suffer through. Drink up!
Comment
No comments found! Be the first one to write a comment!
Author: Carrie Todd
