Traveling around the country in your RV means that the water quality will greatly vary, depending on the source. One assumes that the local water supply is safe to consume or use for washing. However, even if the water is deemed safe, the mineral or sediment content of the water can vary greatly from what you’re used to at home. In fact, most of the United States deals with hard water issues. Not only can that fluctuate across the country, but it can also change depending on the time of year as well. Two of the most common ways to deal with this include RV water filters & water softeners.
Are RV Water Filters the Same As Softeners?
In short, no.
RV water filters are designed to remove sediment particles from the water, not rid the water of minerals. Filters may also remove other things that are not dissolved in the water, such as chemicals or bacteria. Health concerns aside, that sediment can build up in your RV’s plumbing, affecting its performance. There are two main types of water filters: in-line or 3-stage. As the name suggests, in-line water filters are connected between the source and the water hose. They are ideal for RV’ers who take shorter trips less frequently, as they have a faster installation and are less expensive. The 3-stage filter can be found inside or outside the RV and uses up to 3 different filters, including sediment and carbon filters, to offer a higher level of filtration. RV’ers who travel more frequently or for longer periods of time can benefit the most from this type of water filter system.
Are RV Water Softeners Worth It?
Even if you don’t think about it at home, having an
RV water softener can make a difference. Unlike a filter, a softener works on removing substances that already dissolved in the water, which a filter would not catch. Hard water stems from a greater mineral concentration. If you have hard water, you’ve probably noticed it, as it leaves deposits on your fixtures after a time. Because of that, it can affect your RV’s plumbing. Hard water can also affect how how well your soap works, preventing from lathering up properly. While safe to consume, hard water can sometimes have an unpleasant taste or smell. RV water softeners work by passing the water through charged resin beads that have been treated with regular table salt. Water from the source enters the resin chamber inside and minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium are then exchanged for sodium. Softeners can have multiple resin chambers for added treatment. Water exiting the chamber can then go through your RV’s plumbing without all the hard minerals.
These are not the only methods for dealing with purifying your RV’s water supply. Reverse osmosis is another way, which pushes water through a membrane that can remove both minerals and sediment. However, this method is more expensive than the other ways and the process itself ends up wasting most of your RV’s water. Another way is using a UV water purifier. Water is exposed to UV light, which gets rid of whatever viruses or bacteria may be in the water. Keep in mind that UV water purifiers are not designed to remove sediment or minerals. Whichever methods you choose, for the best results, it’s good to use a combination of systems that can work together to remove concerning substances from your RV’s water, such as using a filter and then using a softener. One system alone may not be able to do the job.