Drinking water

[david lloyd]

For the last few years we have used a Naturepure water filter for all our drinking water as my wife has a sensitive stomach and, even though potable water in Spain/Potugal is largely safe to drink, she didn't want to take the risk. We found the filter took away any 'taste' of the minerals in the water and it also meant we didn't have to lug large amounts of bottled water from the supermarket and find storage space in our PVC.

 

We have just found out that our new van i(which we hope to collect tomorrow) is proving particularly difficult to find a suitable place for the water filter to be fitted under the sink area. Too far away and the system may struggle to pump the water through the filter.

 

So, we have to find the best alternative to drinking the site (or aire) tap water. Bottled water is the obvious alternative but has anyone views on other methods such as water purification tablets either in the tank itself or a portable water carrier, or, the Brita type filters that sit in the fridge?

 

David

[StuartO]

Relying on tap water for everything is a risky business, as we found out earlier this year. We now use bottled water (in France) for all drinking purposes, including filling the kettle.

 

We had been drawing tap water and using it, certainly when it was going to be boiled in the kettle. But we got some tainted water froman Aire (a perfectly clean one, in a nice village) and it made everything, including cups of tea, taste awful.

 

I doubt that any sort of filtering system could protect you against this type of risk. Filters can only remove pariculate matter. Active carbon filtetrs can do better but are they practical, given the volumes of water passing through your tank? Not sure what was in the tainted water we picked up but it smelled and tasted a bit disinfectanty and it took a dizen or more emptyings and rinsings of the tank to get rid of it.

 

I did consider using my sensitive wife to taste the water from every tap but that hasn't worked out. She decided retrospectively that a load of water isn't quite right.

 

Bottled water for drinking purposes is the only reliable solution.

[Rayjsj]

StuartO - 2015-09-03 11:58 AM

 

Relying on tap water for everything is a risky business, as we found out earlier this year. We now use bottled water (in France) for all drinking purposes, including filling the kettle.

 

We had been drawing tap water and using it, certainly when it was going to be boiled in the kettle. But we got some tainted water froman Aire (a perfectly clean one, in a nice village) and it made everything, including cups of tea, taste awful.

 

I doubt that any sort of filtering system could protect you against this type of risk. Filters can only remove pariculate matter. Active carbon filtetrs can do better but are they practical, given the volumes of water passing through your tank? Not sure what was in the tainted water we picked up but it smelled and tasted a bit disinfectanty and it took a dizen or more emptyings and rinsings of the tank to get rid of it.

 

I did consider using my sensitive wife to taste the water from every tap but that hasn't worked out. She decided retrospectively that a load of water isn't quite right.

 

Bottled water for drinking purposes is the only reliable solution.

 

Sorry to disagree Stuart, but the Naturepure plumbed in filter system, which the op mentions DOES remove more that just particulates, viruses, cysts, and bacteria, using a silver filter screen before the carbon. I have had one fitted into my last 3 vans. With never a problem. Much preferable to buying and carrying bottled water. To the OP, I would ask them to try again. Ray

[lennyhb]

Surely the easy solution is to fit a more powerful pump in the new van.

[StuartO]

Rayjsj - 2015-09-03 1:31 PM

 

StuartO - 2015-09-03 11:58 AM

 

Relying on tap water for everything is a risky business, as we found out earlier this year. We now use bottled water (in France) for all drinking purposes, including filling the kettle.

 

We had been drawing tap water and using it, certainly when it was going to be boiled in the kettle. But we got some tainted water froman Aire (a perfectly clean one, in a nice village) and it made everything, including cups of tea, taste awful.

 

I doubt that any sort of filtering system could protect you against this type of risk. Filters can only remove pariculate matter. Active carbon filtetrs can do better but are they practical, given the volumes of water passing through your tank? Not sure what was in the tainted water we picked up but it smelled and tasted a bit disinfectanty and it took a dizen or more emptyings and rinsings of the tank to get rid of it.

 

I did consider using my sensitive wife to taste the water from every tap but that hasn't worked out. She decided retrospectively that a load of water isn't quite right.

 

Bottled water for drinking purposes is the only reliable solution.

 

Sorry to disagree Stuart, but the Naturepure plumbed in filter system, which the op mentions DOES remove more that just particulates, viruses, cysts, and bacteria, using a silver filter screen before the carbon. I have had one fitted into my last 3 vans. With never a problem. Much preferable to buying and carrying bottled water. To the OP, I would ask them to try again. Ray

 

You are most welcome to disagree Ray - but don't you camp exclusively in UK, where tap water is pretty good? The tainting we encountered in France was what I would have thought a completely different thing - a distinctly chemical contamination which seemed to stick inside the tank for ages. I'm not suggesting that filtering is a bad thing or a waste of time but I do think I can't really protect you against that sort of thing.

[Rayjsj]

Some of the places in the Western Isles where we have filled our tank, would make your hair curl. You cannot even get bottled water in some of the places. We don't only stick to CC sites, but will if there is one about.Ray

[Robinhood]

...one alternative to the Naturepure filter which has similar performance but might give easier options to fit is the 3M "Caravan" Filter.

 

My last 'van, a Hobby, came with one of these factory fitted, and I found it good in use. I had fitted a Naturepure to the previous 'van to that, as we prefer not to mess about with bottled water for drinking.

 

I have subsequently fitted the 3M one to my new 'van.

 

As the 3M filter seems to have a much lower effect on flow rate than the Naturepure, it can be fitted as a "whole system" filter; i.e. it can be fitted directly in the pump output, and will thus filter supplies to all taps. The Hobby factory-fit was thus (as is my current 'van). It should be fine unless there is already significantly low pressure at one of the outputs (the shower is the one to be wary of, as this will be higher than the others).

 

It is supplied with a selection of standard barb and speedfit fittings, and can be fitted to most existing pipe/hose work.

 

Unless you are profligate in water use, the filter will need replacing by time rather than by volume, so the "whole system" thing is not a problem, and of course ensures the bathroom outlet is also filtered.

 

One thing that must be noted, however, is that 3M supply filters in two different specifications; E1, which is essentially only a "taste" filter, and the more expensive E2, which performs similar to the Naturepure.

 

It isn't an item that is easy to source in the UK (in the desirable E2 form, at least), and I used to have to buy replacement filters from Germany.

 

The filter mount and first cartridge are available here, however (this provides the best "first-fit" option):

 

http://www.campervanstuff.com/shop_stuff/index.php?mod=product&id_prd=1363

 

...and, though they also do replacement cartridges, I get them cheaper from the filter specialist Pozzani:

 

https://www.pozzani.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1686

 

...who unfortunately don't do the mount.

 

The filters are quick-fit (but need a bit of end-clearance to remove them), and should be removed in frost conditions as they are vulnerable to freezing - and don't drain very well unless removed and emptied. Patently, they are fine for winter use if mounted in a place with decent ambient temperature.

 

 

 

[david lloyd]

Robinhood

 

Thank you very much for the information. This could very well be a real solution and I have emailed the dealer with the details to see if they can locate a suitable position for the 3M filter kit. Obviously the filters are a little more expensive than the Naturpure variety as they are to be changed every six months but it is something we could budget for.

 

Will let you know how I get on.

 

Regards

David

[Robinhood]

I know what the recommendation is, but I change the filter annually.

The unit is simple to mount horizontally or vertically, but you will need end-clearance to remove/change the filter.

(and the E2 filter is physically longer).

My current 'van has a submersible pump rated at a lower pressure than the stand-alone in the previous one, but mounting the filter in the pump outlet still gives acceptable results on all h/c water outlets.

Unlike the naturepure, removal of the filter and insertion of the (supplied) bypass plug simply returns the function of an unfiltered supply.