Don’t take a vacation from your water quality concerns

With all of these considerations, there is often one essential item that is overlooked: the water supply. Because they must draw water from unfamiliar sources while traveling, Recreational Vehicle users and boaters are at the mercy of the spigot.

There have been several instances of recreational water supply contamination at campgrounds and marinas. Additionally, many travelers only associate filtration with drinking water. They travel with large quantities of bottled water for drinking, but use the local source for other actions that can raise health concerns -- bathing, washing dishes and clothes, making coffee and brushing teeth. Therefore, it is important to install water filtration systems on RVs and boats to satisfy all your water needs.

One thing to keep in mind while evaluating a filtration system is that not all water filtration systems are created equal. There is a range of products on the market, so choosing the right one for your needs can be a daunting task.

Here are the top four things to consider when evaluating a filtration system:

1. Point of Use vs. Point of Entry – In the water filtration industry there are two main types of systems. There are under-sink cartridges that only filter water drawn from the sink; these are called “point of use” systems. The other system is referred to as “point of entry” because it filters all of the water used within the boat or RV. Tip: A point of use product may be best suited for a boat or RV that is only used for overnight or weekend journeys. A point of entry system can make longer adventures far more comfortable.
2. Installation – Consider whether you want to attempt the installation yourself or have your local dealer do the installation for you. Tips: Choose a readily accessible location because the filter cartridge will need to be replaced periodically (see maintenance tips). When attempting the DIY versions, make sure that your filtration system comes with all of the proper tubing and attachments. That bargain system may not be such a great deal after you find yourself back at the hardware store looking to purchase the appropriate attachments.
3. Level of Filtration -- Some systems only filter dirt and grit, providing cleaner-looking water, while others improve the taste of the water, but do not necessarily produce water that’s drinkable. Due to the uncertainty of the water supplies and storage systems onboard, preferred systems perform those tasks and help catch certain harmful waterborne organisms (such as bacteria, cysts, mold spores and/or algae) as well. Some are less expensive than others, but they also may need to be changed more frequently than a product with a higher initial expense. Depending on the model, some cartridges produce the equivalent of as many as 60,000, 16 oz. bottles of water with each filtration cartridge and can last the whole season. Tip: No matter what contaminants the manufacturer or product claims to reduce, the key is to look for certification from a reputable third-party agency to validate these claims. Such agencies include the Water Quality Association (WQA), Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or NSF International, a not-for-profit that certifies products and writes standards for food, water and consumer goods.
4. Ease of maintenance – Once you have made the decision to install a water filter, whether it is point of use or point of entry, you will have to maintain the system periodically. Check the manufacturer’s recommended service life. Changing the filter cartridge can offer a whole new challenge and experience that can be made simple and effortless, depending on the type of system you choose. Some cartridges can be installed and replaced almost effortlessly with one quarter turn. Some referred to as “drop-ins” may require wrenches to remove the outer housing exposing the filter inside. Thorough cleaning of the outer housing is required before replacing the filter. Others referred to as “inline” models can be quite complicated, as you attempt to figure out how to disengage the piping from the filter. Tip: The most maintenance-friendly versions require no cleaning, are easy to change and have built in by-pass or shut-offs so you can change the filter without interrupting the water service within your boat or vehicle.

   Having a water filtration system should be viewed as a way to enhance the quality of the water you hook up to and as an added precaution against specific contaminants. Travelers should never draw water from a source they know to be contaminated just because they have such a system on board.

   Help make your family vacation more enjoyable. Consider purchasing a water filtration system for cleaner, great-tasting water while traveling to new and exciting places.

   Bill Contaxis, vice president of Engineering at CUNO Incorporated, a 3M Company, helped to design the 3M line of Marine/RV water filtration products.