Choosing the Best Caravan Water Filter - Cleaner, Safer Water in Your Caravan
Discover your options when choosing the best caravan water filter for great-tasting, clean, and safe water while touring.
So, just what is the best water filter for your caravan so you and your family have clean, safe water to use whilst on holiday? This can be a tricky question as it's not necessarily a one size fits all answer. Will the standard charcoal water filter be sufficient or should you go for something more hi-tech? In this article, we will try to make the decision as easy as possible for you.
First of all, there are some important considerations:
- Where are you going — are you touring around the UK or going further afield?
- How long are you planning on staying in your caravan or motorhome?
- Are you pitching up at a fully serviced site or going off-grid?
- Does your caravan already have a water filter and could it do with a refresh?
Whether you are staying in the UK on a fully serviced site, going off the beaten track or even abroad, we recommend investing in a dependable water purifying system. A good filtration system will save you worry and, perhaps, save you from illness. And it will certainly refresh and revitalise your stored water!
Do I need a water filter for my caravan?
Yes. A water filter is one of those essentials which you very rarely notice, but it's reassuring to know it's doing its job behind the scenes while all go about your holiday. A water filter will stop your stored water from becoming stagnant and foul-tasting. Remember, even if you are all hooked up on a fully-serviced site, the on-site water will still contain the fluoride and chlorine found in the mains water supply.
Does my caravan have a water filter system?
If you're not sure whether your caravan has a water filter system, there are two places to look. If you have one, it's possible that a caravan water filter is connected to the main sink tap or an additional drinking water tap under your sink. If you don't see it there, look beneath your caravan and you'll probably find a single or dual-cylinder water filter connected to the chassis near the water inlets, usually towards the rear of the van.
Different caravan water filter processes
There are two popular types of caravan water filters; Carbon Water Filter cartridges (often used in reverse osmosis water filters) and UV Water Purifiers.
Activated carbon water filter for caravans
Caravan water treatment systems using carbon filters are extremely efficient at removing larger particles of dirt, rust, and other organic substances. The activated carbon filter works by forcing water through compressed charcoal which allows water to pass through whilst blocking pollutants.
Activated carbon filters are great for removing impurities from water. However, carbon filters do not remove bacteria.
UV water filter for caravans
UV water purifiers use ultraviolet light to purify and disinfect water as it passes through the caravan plumbing, whether from a mains connection or stored water tanks. Ultraviolet light kills 99.99% of micro-organisms, and reduces any lingering contaminants such as E-coli or Legionella bacteria, leaving your water safe to drink, and tasting great.
Advantages of the UV water filters:
- Chemical-free: Unlike some other caravan water filtration methods UV doesn’t use chemicals to cleanse your water, just ultraviolet light to remove microbes.
- Taste and odour-free: Chemicals can leave the water with an unpleasant taste or smell. UV rays don’t leave any smells or tastes behind.
- Energy-efficient: UV filtration uses about the same amount of energy as a 60-watt lightbulb.
- Low maintenance: Replace the UV lightbulb every 12 months.
Disadvantages of UV water filters:
- Only removes micro-organisms: Only effective against bacteria and micro-organisms. Heavy metals, salts and other manmade materials will still be present in the water even after it has been treated.
- Only works for clear water: UV light cannot penetrate murky or cloudy water.
UV water purifiers kill bacteria and viruses but can not penetrate or filter murky water. If the water has become cloudy or has any floating particles, another filtration system is also needed.
While UV filtration is the most trustworthy solution for the purification of drinking water, it is important to know that no single system guarantees the removal of all contaminants.
A caravan water filter which combines a carbon filter and UV light water treatment, such as the Alde UV water filter system, is an excellent choice.
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So, which caravan water filter products should I choose?
A caravan water filter which combines a carbon filter and UV light water treatment, such as the Alde UV water filter system, is an excellent choice.
Cleaner water with Alde Aquaclear UV-C
The Alde AquaClear UV-C water filter system is an excellent choice for caravaners looking for an integrated caravan water filter that will provide them with safe water to drink and clean water to wash in. The Alde water filter is also the ideal water filtration system for motorhomes, especially if you're going off-grid or visiting a country where the water is thought to be less safe.
The Alde UV water filter is a caravan under sink water system that combines ultraviolet light and activated charcoal. The carbon filter eliminates the odour and decolourisation of stored water, and backs that up with a UV-C light filter to kill any micro-organisms, germs, and other contaminants.
UV-C water purification technique is one of the most effective methods to disinfect water. It uses high-intensity “germicidal” ultraviolet lamps to purify water without using harmful chemicals.
How the AquaClear water filter system works:
- Cold water is pumped from the fresh water tank using the freshwater pump.
- The water is purified in the first stage of the Alde AquaClear UV-C unit.
- The water is purified in the second stage via the Alde Water Carbon filter.
- Then the water goes on to a T-connection and from there as cold water to the kitchen and shower and to Alde Boiler.
- Cold water is heated in Alde Boiler and goes from there as hot water to kitchen and shower.
The ultraviolet light and the latest UVC LED technology kills 99% of micro-organisms at water flows up to 4 litres/min, before being passed through an activated carbon water filter to further rid the water of anything nasty.
With a lifespan of about 70 cubic meters of water (that's a use of about 20 minutes per day, the product life is about 900 days) the Alde AquaClear will give you peace of mind for almost two and a half years.
Whale caravan water pumps
If you need to fill up your caravan water tank, you'll need a caravan water pump. The Whale high flow submersible pump is a great choice for campers who are looking for an easy way to fill up their caravan water tank.
The Whale Submersible Pump is a cost-effective, space-saving solution for any caravan water filter system. This high-performance pump makes the connection between an outside water container and the caravan considerably easier.
The whale caravan water pump is easy to install and doesn't require any special tools or skills. Simply connect the hose to the caravan's water inlet and start pumping. The pump will automatically shut off when the tank is full, so you don't have to worry about overfilling it.
If you have a Bailey caravan, you're already halfway there since it comes standard with a Whale high-flow submersible pump already fitted! If you’re looking for a Bailey caravan water filter replacement, then take a look at our Whale pump spares and parts.