The Ultimate Guide To Caravan and RV Water Filtration

It’s fairly easy to access clean drinking water in most parts of Australia.

However, when you are traveling you will come across a wide range of water sources that will be very different to what you and your body are used too.

The water you encounter may have much higher levels of contaminants than your normal water, including: 

Chlorine and Chloramines

Virtually all towns and cities in Australia will add chlorine to their water supplies to kill protozoa, bacteria, and other pathogens.

While it does a great job of killing the contaminants which cause cholera, dysentery and other conditions, it can also make your water smell and taste terrible, or make your skin and hair dry.

Monochloramine (usually called chloramine), is a chemical compound created when chlorine combines with ammonia.

Chloramines are long-lasting and can travel much further in water pipes. They are primarily responsible for the unpleasant smell of chlorinated water.

Cyst Parasites (Cryptosporidium and Giardia)

Untreated water can be contaminated by a wide range of waterborne cyst parasites like Giardia, Cryptosporidium,. They are harmful protozoan parasites and forms of bacteria which can make you severely ill if ingested. Water filters with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or lower will remove most cyst parasites.

Bacteria

Untreated water from dams, waterways, tanks, and bores can also host a wide range of different bacteria including Escherichia coli (e-coli) and Coliform. These types of bacteria can make you severely ill if ingested. 

Bacteria are microscopic and much smaller than Cyst Parasites or Protozoa. As a result, you will need to use a special form of water treatment to successfully remove them. Common options include UV Sterilisation, Ceramic Filtration, and Disinfection (more on these methods below).  

Heavy Metals

Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, copper, cadmium, and mercury can be extremely hazardous to your health.

You are more likely to encounter these dangerous contaminants in parts of Australia with very old pipework and locations with aquifers contaminated by mining or agricultural activity. 

Drinking water that contains these metals can cause immune system dysfunction, nervous system damage, kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Rust

If you are in the outback and are forced to fill your tank up with tank water or you are using old water infrastructure, your water may be contaminated with rust.

Although low levels of rust won’t affect your health, your water will taste and look terrible. It can also stain clothing and cause damage to the water pipes or appliances in your caravan.

Fluoride

Most locations in Australia will add fluoride to the water supply to prevent dental disease. However, there is some debate about the safety of consuming fluoride over a long period.

Although it is difficult to remove all fluoride from water, there are several types of water filters which can remove most of it. 

Sediment

Water tanks, bore water, and old pipes can contain a large amount of sediment which can negatively affect the smell and taste of your drinking water. In severe cases, sediment can cause blockages or corrosion of metal fittings. 

Hard Water and Water that is High in Minerals

Some locations within Australia have ‘hard’ water, which is water with a high level of dissolved minerals which most people find unpleasant.

Running hard water through your caravan can cause scale to form on the inside of pipes, fixtures, coffee machines, hot water heaters and other appliances. This can eventually cause damage to your caravan’s pipework or cause appliances to break down.

Chemical and Pesticides

There are a variety of dangerous chemicals and pesticides which make their way into the water supply and can pose a health risk for humans. They include:

• Trihalomethanes (THMs)
  Trihalomethanes are a group of chemical compounds that can form when chlorine reacts with rotting organic matter like sewage, dead vegetation, farm runoff, and dead animals. Researchers believe that THMs may be carcinogenic.
• Poly and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAs)
  PFAs are a class of over 4,000 different chemicals. These chemicals are used in everything from plastic products to firefighting foams and water repellents. Unfortunately, some PFAs have been found to be toxic to humans and can increase of serious diseases like cancer.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  VOCs are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. Many common household products contain VOCs including cleaning products and paint. The most common VOCs include acetone, formaldehyde, benzene, ethylene glycol, perchloroethylene, xylene and toluene. They can cause a variety of health issues including eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, and skin problems. Long term exposure can cause damage to the liver, central nervous system, kidneys, and other organs.
• Nitrate/nitrite
  Sewerage and fertiliser runoff can both contaminate groundwater supplies with nitrate. Although nitrate is harmless, it can convert into nitrite, which is capable of causing health problems in children and young babies.

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How Do Caravan Water Filters Deal Remove This Material?

Caravan water filters can use a variety of methods to remove contaminants from water. However, the most commonly used filters use one or more of the following methods:

1. Mechanical Filtration

The idea behind mechanical filtration is simple. The filter physically acts like a sieve which removes sediment, dirt, metals, and other particles which are large than the holes in the filter material.

Mechanical filters can be made from many different materials. However, the most commonly used options are spun bonded polypropylene (also called polyspun) and pleated filters (polyester). They are both fantastic options for removing dirt, algae, rust, and larger particles

2. Absorption Filtration

Absorption water filters are made from materials capable of trapping water-borne contaminants. They are particularly useful for removing chemicals like chlorine, which is added to the water supply by most councils in Australia.

Activated carbon is the most frequently used material in absorption filters. It is typically made from crushed coconut shells or coal which has been ‘activated’ to increase the surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions.

Activated carbon has a matrix of carbon particles with many microscopic pores and pits. As the water flows through the filter, chlorine, sediment, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are trapped (absorbed) by these pores.

Eventually, the absorption filter will become clogged with impurities and need to be replaced or emptied

3. Sequestration Filtration

Sequestration involves the use of a chemical to isolate a specific substance. The most common example of sequestration filtration in world of caravanning is polyphosphate.

It is a food grade non-toxic chemical which can sequester calcium and magnesium in water. This makes it more difficult for these minerals to cause limescale and corrosion in your caravan’s plumbing and appliances.

4. Ion Exchange

Ion exchange filtration typically involves the use of a hydrogen based ion exchange resin, which physically removes certain elements. It is often used to remove minerals like calcium and magnesium from hard water.

Some water softener filters will use sodium ions which can to be ‘recharged’ intermittently by back flushing the media with salt water. However, other resin filters are seal units and are simply replaced once they become ineffective. Back to top

Common Types Of Water Filtration Media

The most frequently used water filtration media in caravan filters include:

Activated Carbon

Activated carbon is capable of absorbing chlorine, volatile organic compounds and sediment from water. It is a great choice for eliminating the taste and odour of chlorine from water.

Activated carbon is available in granular form, called Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and in carbon blocks. It is called ‘activated’ carbon as it is treated to increase the number of pores, which improves its absorption capacity.

Carbon blocks are more compressed so can deliver a finer level of filtration. However, as they are more compressed, it can limit the amount of waterflow that is available. This means GAC is used whenever high flow rate is required (for showers and so on).

Carbon filters that are rated at 1 micron or less are capable of reducing parasitic cysts, including cryptosporidium and giardia. You will require a filter rated 1 micron or less on your drinking water if you ever fill up with unchlorinated water from water tanks or bores.

Catalytic Carbon

Catalytic carbon is carbon that has been chemically modified to alter the ionic structure of the carbon. This improves its catalytic capability, making it easier for the carbon to absorb chemicals. It is more effective that activated carbon, particularly when it comes to absorbing chloramines. However, it is also more expensive than activated carbon.  

Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF)

Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF) uses electrochemical oxidation-reduction (also known as the redox potential) to remove contaminants from water. In easier-to-understand terms, KDF media will exchange electrons with contaminants, transforming them into harmless components.

The most commonly used form of KDF is KDF 55, which contains copper and zinc. Because copper has a negative charge, it will attract contaminants that have a positive charge. Zinc, meanwhile has a positive charge, which will attract contaminants with ah negative charge.

KDF55 can remove up to 99% of water-soluble lead, mercury, nickel, chromium, and other dissolved metals. It also reduces scale build up, bacteria and algae, even in hot water. Removes “free” chlorine, chlorinated hydrocarbons and hydrogen sulfide.

KDF 85 is designed specifically for reducing iron and hydrogen sulfide in water. It can also reduce scale, bacteria , algae, chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals — even in hot water.

Polyphosphate

Polyphosphate is a food grade additive which makes it harder for the minerals in hard water to form scale. Using polyphosphate is a great idea for when you are traveling to South Australia, the Northern Territory, outback Queensland, Western Australia or any other location with hard water.

It’s important to note that polyphosphate inhibits scale production and does not eradicate it completely. The minerals are still present in the water but are less likely to create hard scale on your pipes and appliances.

Silver

Some caravan water filters will use silver impregnated carbon. It helps to prevent bacteria building up inside your filter when it isn’t being used. This is particularly handy for caravanners who only take their caravan out on the road intermittently. Back to top

The Importance Of Having a CYST Rated Water Filter

Water obtained from lakes, streams, groundwater, and other untreated sources can contain protozoa, bacteria and viral contaminants.

This can include cyst parasites like Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, and Cyclosporiasis. They are single cell parasites commonly found within the intestinal tract of humans and animals.

If a human consumes water contaminated by cyst parasites, they may become ill experiencing diarrhoea, fatigue and weakness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and headaches.

If you travel off the beaten track and sometimes use water which is unchlorinated or has been sitting in a tank for a long time, you need to protect yourself from these types of contaminants.

The simplest way to do so is by using a ‘CYST rated’ carbon filter on your drinking water. These filters have an absolute pore size of 1 micron or less which blocks most cyst parasites as they are between 2 to 4 microns in size. Back to top

How Filtration Affects Water Flow Rates

It’s important to understand that using very fine filters can reduce your flow rates. For example, if you installed a 1 micron carbon block filter on your main water line, you might reduce the flow rate and possibly increase the need to replace the filters on a more regular basis if there is sediment in the water supply.  

While this flow rate would be fine for filling a glass of water, it wouldn’t be suitable for a shower. Using a 5 micron carbon block or 5 micron granular activated carbon (GAC) with KFD55 media would let you achieve a faster flow rate, but it would not be capable of filtering cyst parasites.

Many caravanners will use two water filtration systems to overcome this limitation. They might have a high flow inline or filter housing system to filter water which is used for showers, washing machines, and toilets and filling water tanks. An additional 1 micron cyst rated filter maybe used on the caravan’s drinking water.

The flow rate reduction that occurs when using a 1 micron filter isn’t significant on town mains pressure but when using your 12v pump it can reduce dramatically, but if it is only used to fill up drinking glasses, pots, and jugs this should not be a problem. Back to top

Types of Caravan Filtration Systems

There are several types of filtration systems available for caravans. The most common options include:

External systems (inline and portable filter systems)

The simplest and most affordable option.

It is very important to use a food grade drinking water hose to supply any water that you will be using to reduce the chance of water being contaminated or that garden hose taste.

External water filtration systems are useful for filtering your water before it reaches your caravan’s water tank. Filtering your water at this early stage will reduce the amount of sediment, rust, and other contaminants reaching the tank.

By reducing these contaminants, you can prevent sludge building up in your caravan’s plumbing, which protects your caravan’s pumps, valves, and appliances from damage.

External filtration can be achieved by having an external inline water filter which is attached to the hose supplying the water directly to the van or motorhome while in caravan parks.

There are several filters which can be used to for this task, including the popular AIC-K POH High Flow In Line Water Filter with GAC/KDF or the BestHF In-line High Capacity Filter. Just choose the option with click on hose fittings.

An external canister system can also be used. A variety of filter types can be screwed into the canisters to remove sediment, chlorine, chloramines, bacteria, algae, heavy metals, minerals, and other contaminants.

Most travellers will keep this canister system inside their caravans and set it up whenever they decide to fill up. Housing systems can also use click on hose fittings, which makes filtering your water simple.

Some people mount the filters on the outside of the van and run a short piece of hose from the filter outlet to the inlet of the van.

Unfortunately, This can lead to damaged filters from stones when travelling, but most are used as portable ones that can be simply put on the ground behind the inside of your van wheels so they are out of sight and the heat from the sun. Being portable also allows you to fill your tanks externally.

It’s important to note that filtered water which has been sitting in a water tanks that have not been used for a while can grow algae, especially in warm temperatures or if in storage for a while. That’s why most caravaners will drain and flush their water tanks or use anti-bacterial additives in their tanks before using.

This why most modern vans have fitted filter system inside as a final filtration stage. Best to filter your drinking water again using a carbon or ceramic filter rated at 1 micron or less. This will ensure CYST parasites like cryptosporidium and giardia are significantly reduced or eliminated from your drinking water.

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Under Sink Filters

An under sink filter is one of the most convenient options for filtering water in a caravan. It is installed as part of your incoming cold water supply line to the kitchen sink, so 100% of the water that passes through the line is filtered.

The incoming water supply is attached to the inlet of the filter and the line that goes to the tap is attached to the outlet. Inline filters are available with a wide range of attachments including 12 mm quick connect high pressure tube adapters which are very popular in most caravans and motorhomes.

A separate dedicated filtered drinking water tap will allow you to use a range of different water filters. By having a separate filter tap your filters will last longer as well.

One of the most popular under bench inline filter packages we sell is the Complete Caravan or RV Under Sink Water Filter Kit.

This compact system has a filter head that is attached to the cabinetry of your caravan’s cupboard. There are two water connections on the head, one for your incoming water supply and one up to your filter tap. These water filters are very easy to change as they screw into the head like a light bulb.

A wide variety of filter types can be inserted into the head, so you can adjust the level of filtration you used based on where you are traveling and the quality of water you can access.

Once your filter is past its suggested replacement date or it is no longer filtering effectively, you simply turn off your water supply, unscrew/un-click the filter and insert a new one.

Under Sink filter housing systems

When using under bench housing system, your filters are placed inside into plastic housing sumps then screwed up onto the housing head. This type of system is bulkier, because the housings can take up more room than a small inline filter or quick change filter that screws into a small external head.

However, there are some excellent advantages associated with using housing systems. For one, it is easy to replace your filters. You simply unscrew the housing and insert a new filter cartridge. There are no clips or tubes to move.

You can also have multi-stage filtration, with two, or three housings gives you more filter options and also allows you to choose to use certain filters in different areas around Australia. This makes it possible to have a sediment filter in stage one, followed by one or two filters which reduce chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, scale, and other contaminants.

Filter housings tend to be larger than inline filters, which means the water can be in contact with the filtration medium for a longer period. This can improve the level of filtration you can achieve in terms of chlorine and certain other chemicals.

Bench top water filters

Benchtop water filters are filter housings that sit on top of your kitchen bench. They have a tube that connects to your kitchen’s tap along with an outlet which delivers clean, filtered water.

They work the same way as an under bench system, so you simply unscrew each housing and insert your choice of water filter. Bench top water filters are also available in single, double or triple configurations.

This type of water filter system is simple to install, reliable, and affordable. However, they are not as popular with caravanners, as they take up valuable space on the kitchen benchtop. A standard tap spout is required to allow you to connect the filter diverter.

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Choosing The Right Water Filter For Your Caravan

So, which water filter system should you get? Here is a simple guide for choosing a system which matches your requirements.

1. Evaluate your water needs

The following table will help you identify the types of media you will need to include in your filtration system to achieve specific goals. You may find that you need more than one filter to achieve your desired goal.

 

Are you concerned about chlorine taste and smell?	Include a filter that contains activated carbon, or GAC/KDF. It will dramatically reduce the taste and smell of chlorine. Catalytic carbon and KDF are particularly effective at reducing hydrogen sulphur (rotten egg) smell from water.
Are you concerned about scale build-up?	If you travel in areas with hard water (WA, NT, SA, inland parts of NSW and QLD) you may notice a build-up of scale in your caravan. It can damage or discolour your pipes, tiles, taps, basins, and appliances. To reduce scale build up, your filter will need to include KDF 55 or polyphosphate.
Are you worried about the presence of CYST parasites in your water? (Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora)	If you sometimes fill up with unchlorinated water from a stream, river, lake, bore or tank, you have a higher risk of encountering water that is contaminated with CYST parasites like Giardia, Cryptosporidium or Cyclosporiasis. To protect yourself against these contaminants, you will need a carbon filter with a rating of 1 micron or lower, and ideally be Silver impregnated to inhibit growth within
Are you concerned about fluoride? (Fluoride does not have a taste or odour)	Councils often add fluoride to their water supply to improve the dental health of local residents. However, many people are concerned about the long-term impact of fluoride on their health. There are several filters which reduce fluoride levels including the inline Omnipure K5566 inline filter. or a range of standard size cartridges for housings.
Are you concerned about heavy metal contamination?	When you travel around Australia, you may fill up your tanks with water that contains unsafe levels of heavy metals. This can be caused by groundwater contamination or the use of outdated water infrastructure.  A filter that contains heavy metal reduction activated carbon and/or KDF will do a great job at reducing the level of heavy metals in your water.
Do you need high flow filtration for a shower?	If you need a high flow rate for a shower, a system that uses granular activated carbon filter and KDF could be useful. This combination is very effective at filtering water without significantly slowing water flow rates, or use a dedicated shower filter.
Do you have other unusual problems affecting your water?	If you have discoloured, smelly, or acidic water, you may need an additional filter. Give us a call to discuss your options.

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2. Choose your filtration system’s design

Next, you should decide which type of filtration system is suitable for your needs.

If you only need to filter for chlorine and CYST parasites, a single canister, inline, or benchtop filter may be all you need. This is the path many Aussie caravaners take.

They will simply buy an AIC-K 5 micron filter with click on hose fittings to filter their water before filling their tank. Alternately, they might use a single cannister with a 1 micron GTS1-10 type filter or 1 micron BestWF filter for finer filtration.

However, if you need to filter for scale, fluoride, as well as CYST parasites, you may need a multi-stage system with several canister or inline filters.

Because space is tight in caravans, you may find that your options are somewhat restricted. You may find that there isn’t enough space for a large under-bench system or a benchtop system.

If you have limited space available, you have several options available including:

• Filtering water thoroughly as it enters your caravan using an inline filter with push on hose fittings or an external filter housing system
• Using an ultra compact 1 micron inline water filter like the BESTWF or Omnipure L Series for under sink drinking water system
• Using a benchtop water filter if you have a standard tap spout available

As mentioned earlier, many caravaners filter their water twice to reduce the risk of contaminated water entering their caravan and to keep their water tanks clean.

They will use a filter that attaches to a hose to reduce sediment, chlorine and other contaminants as they fill up the tank. A separate finer filtration system under the sink can be used for drinking water to filter out CYST parasites and other contaminants.  

It’s also important to consider the amount of space available on your kitchen’s benchtop. Some water filter systems involve the use of a second cold water tap for dispensing filtered water. This approach can increase the lifespan of your water filter as you will only be using it for water you are consuming.

However, if you have limited room available you might need to use a single tap for filtered water. In this scenario, you would either filter 100% of the cold water going to the tap or upgrade your tap to a three way tap like the Puretec T2.

If you have more room inside your caravan, you could use a single, double, or triple under bench system. You would also have the option of a UV system or compact reverse osmosis system. It’s really a matter of balancing your water requirements with the available space and your budget. Back to top

Simple Caravan and Motorhome Water Filter Finder

To make finding the right system easier, here are a few of the best options that are currently available. If you have any questions, give us a call or send an email to sales@clarencewaterfilters.com.au.

 

External Filtration Options
For Sediment, Chlorine, Pesticides Taste and Odour	AIC-K POH In Line (With fittings) Low Flow Rate Portable Inline Filter (5 Micron) Single Dirt & Sediment Portable Caravan Water Filter System Single Hi Flow Caravan & RV Water Filter KDF Silver Carbon (AP10POH 1025KDF/GAC) Hi Flow Twin Caravan & RV Water Filter System with Sediment & Carbon Filters (1025PS5 and AP1025KDF/GAC)
For Sediment, Chlorine, Pesticides, Taste and Odour, and Additional Cyst Protection (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Cyclospora)	BESTHC In-Line (With fittings) BESTWF In-Line (With fittings) 7″ Ceramic & Carbon In Line 0.9 Micron Filter POH Single Caravan & RV Water Filter System with Silver Carbon Filter (GTS1-10) Single Caravan Water Filter System with a Ceramic Carbon Filter (1025Ceramic) Twin Caravan & RV Water Filter System with Sediment & Silver Carbon Filter (1025PS1M and GTS1-10) Twin Caravan Water Filter with Ceramic Carbon Filter (1025PS1M + 1025Ceramic)
For Hard Water and Scale Reduction	BESTHC In-Line (With fittings) BESTWF In-Line (With fittings) Triple Stage Water Softener & Purifier Water Filter System (1025PS1, GTS1-10, and 1025p100c ION Exchange) Triple Stage Scale Reduction Portable Filter System (1025PS1, GTS-10, 1025phos 100% Polyphosphate)

 

 

Internal Filtration Options
For Sediment, Chlorine, Pesticides, Taste and Odour	Complete Caravan or RV Under Sink Water Filter Kit with L5540 (5 micron GAC) or L5586 (5 micron GAC with polyphosphate) AIC-K POH In Line (With fittings) Low Flow Rate Portable Inline Filter (5 Micron)
For Sediment, Chlorine, Pesticides, Taste and Odour, and Additional Cyst Protection (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Cyclospora)	Complete Caravan or RV Under Sink Water Filter Kit with L5320 (Silver Carbon), L5420 (Silver Carbon), L5520 (Carbon), or L5620 (Carbon) BESTHC In-Line (With fittings) BESTWF In-Line (With fittings) Omnipure SCL-10 Inline Filter Everpure QL2 head with an Everpure OCS2 filter
For Hard Water and Scale Reduction	Complete Caravan or RV Under Sink Water Filter Kit with L5586 (5 micron GAC with polyphosphate) BESTHC In-Line (With fittings) BESTWF In-Line (With fittings) Inline P-808 Scale Inhibitor Filter (With Fittings) Everpure QL2 head with an Everpure 2FC-S filter

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Wrapping Up

As you can see, you have plenty of options when it comes to filtering your water. It’s important to plan ahead and install a system that is appropriate for the water quality in the areas where you will be traveling. For more information, feel free to contact us:

Clarence Water Filters Pty Ltd

Phone: 02 6646 8565

Email:  sales@clarencewaterfilters.com.au