Just because water looks clear doesn't always mean it's clean and safe for drinking β or even for bathing. Contaminants such as E. coli bacteria (0.4β2 microns in size) are impossible to see with the naked eye. And that's exactly why water filters are essential for caravanning and RVing, where you'll more than once draw water from sources of unknown quality.
These bacteria, parasites and pesticides can pose serious health risks when ingested or even absorbed through the skin during showering or cleaning. Hence, the water filtration system you choose for your adventure vehicle should effectively remove the specific contaminants you're most concerned about. To ensure the water you drink is free of E. coli, for example, choose an activated carbon filter rated at 0.1 micron or finer β a rating smaller than the typical diameter of the bacteria.
In this article, we'll outline seventeen critical factors to help you select the right activated carbon water filter for your caravan, RV, campervan or boat. But first...
What Is an Activated Carbon Water Filter?
An activated carbon water filter is a filtration system that uses porous carbon media to remove contaminants. The porous carbon works through adsorption, attracting and trapping contaminant particles while allowing clean water to pass through.
The range of contaminants an activated carbon filter can remove depends on its structure and design. Some target larger sediment (e.g. 5-micron sand), others handle finer 1-micron particles, and a few can capture ultra-small contaminants down to 0.5 micron or less β such as clay dust and certain bacteria.
Activated carbon filters are the most popular choice for caravans, campervans, RVs and boats because they produce no wastewater during purification. Nearly 100% of the water entering the cartridge emerges as filtered water, with virtually no waste β a common drawback of reverse osmosis systems.
How Do You Choose a Water Filter for Your Caravan, Campervan, RV or Boat?
Here are the seventeen factors that will guide you toward the right filtration system β helping you enjoy pure, better-tasting water while travelling or camping off-grid.
Step 1: Purpose of the Water Filter
Why do you want a water filter? This is the very first question to ask yourself before purchasing one for your van or boat water system. The answer will help you identify the right type of filter and the key features to look for.
Takeaway: At Campervan Builders, we offer a range of high-performance water filters designed for caravans, campervans, RVs and boats. If you're unsure which product best suits your situation, feel free to reach out to us. This guide also covers every detail to help you make the right choice for your new setup.
Step 2: Type of Water Filter
Based on your filtration needs, decide whether you need a point-of-use (POU) or point-of-entry (POE) water filter.
- A POE filter is the type installed at the main inlet, treating water before it enters your fresh-water tank.
- A POU filter, on the other hand, is the one installed at the specific point where you use the water (e.g. under the sink).
If possible, we recommend having both POE and POU filters to ensure all water used off-grid is clean and safe. This approach provides purified water not only for drinking and cooking but also for bathing, washing dishes and other uses.
Takeaway: We stock both POU and POE water filters so you can enjoy clean, healthy water exactly where and how you need it. Four of our bestsellers are:
- Puretec CR-Z2 Under-Sink Water Filter β a point-of-use (POU) system
- Puretec CR45 Twin Stage Water Filter β a point-of-entry (POE) system
- Puretec CR20 Portable Inline Water Filter β a point-of-entry (POE) system
- Puretec Z6 Inline Under-Sink Water Filter β a point-of-use (POU) system
Step 3: Design and Size of the Water Filter
Like most products today, POU and POE water filters come in a variety of designs and sizes. Whatever you choose, it must be functional and a good physical fit for your van or boat in terms of mounting space and accessibility. A powerful filter is of no use if it's impossible to install.
Takeaway: The water filters available in our shop vary in design and physical dimensions, so you can find the one that fits your van or boat perfectly.
Step 4: Operating Pressure
A water filter's minimum and maximum pressure ratings are critical for safe and effective performance. If the incoming water pressure is below the recommended minimum, the filter may not purify effectively or deliver adequate flow. Conversely, excessive pressure can cause leaks or, in the worst case, damage the filtration system.
Takeaway: Our water filters are rated for an operating pressure range of 200β500 kPa (approximately 29β72 psi). If your water pressure exceeds this range, you will need to install a pressure-limiting device, such as the PVM65PH Multifunction Control Valve (available separately or included with the Puretec Z6 water filter).
Step 5: Operating Temperature
After pressure, the water flowing through your filter must stay within its minimum and maximum operating temperature range. This helps ensure the filtration system continues to perform as expected, without leaks or damage.
Takeaway: Our water filtration systems support a range of operating temperatures to serve you across all seasons. See below:
| Water Filter | Type of Water Filter | Filtration Rating & Capacity | Compatibility Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puretec CR-Z2 Under-Sink Water Filter | Point-of-use (under sink) | 1 micron (38,000 litres) | 0β38Β°C (200β500 kPa) |
| Puretec CR45 Twin Stage Water Filter | Point-of-entry (main water inlet) | 1 micron (-) | 2β52Β°C (200β520 kPa) |
| Puretec CR20 Portable Inline Water Filter | Point-of-entry (main water inlet) | 1 micron (7,500 litres) | 2β38Β°C (200β520 kPa) |
| Puretec Z6 Inline Under-Sink Water Filter | Point-of-use (under sink) | 0.1 micron (60,000 litres) | 0β38Β°C (200β520 kPa) |
Step 6: Installation Connections
The hose connectors on a water filter are critical to its performance and safety, particularly when upgrading an existing system. You must ensure the filter comes with compatible connection adaptors. Otherwise, you may need to purchase extra fittings or replace the water supply hoses and taps.
Takeaway: We supply all our water filters as kits with their unique installation hardware. Most feature quick-connect fittings, available in either push-fit or barbed styles.
Step 7: Ease of Installation
After confirming compatibility, you must make sure the water filter you choose can be installed in your desired location in the van. Some filtration systems have a freestanding design for quick plug-and-play setup, while others require mounting.
Takeaway: Our water filters feature a simple DIY installation that requires no special tools. Each unit comes with the necessary fittings and a clear user manual for guidance.
Step 8: Ease of Use
For most people, caravanning, RVing and boating are leisure activities meant to escape the city buzz and relax. The last thing you want is for your water filter to become a source of frustration on your trip. Thus, choose one that delivers filtered water with minimal β or ideally no β hassle.
Takeaway: The four water filters we listed earlier are extremely straightforward to use. You simply turn on the tap, and water flows through the filtration system automatically β no buttons or knobs required.
Step 9: Filtration Rating
How clean do you want your water to be? A good filter should remove the specific contaminants you want to eliminate. The effectiveness of the filtration depends largely on the micron rating of the filter media β the lower the micron rating, the finer the particles it can capture.
Takeaway: Most of the water filters we have feature a nominal 1-micron rating, which effectively removes finer silt, sand, rust, yeast cells, parasites and many bacteria. However, the Puretec Z6 uses ultra-fine 0.1-micron filtration media, making it the most effective option for removing E. coli and other bacteria.
Step 10: Contaminant Removal Range
Filtration rating alone cannot guarantee that a water filter will remove all contaminants within that range. For maximum protection, you must check which specific pollutants the filter targets β such as sediment, chlorine, bad taste, odour, pesticides, bacteria, cysts and more.
Takeaway: Our water filters purify water in different ways. Some effectively remove sediment, bad taste, odour, chlorine and certain PFAS chemicals. Others, such as the Z6, also reliably remove E. coli and other bacteria.
Step 11: Flow Rate of the Water Filter
Flow rate is another critical factor to consider, especially for point-of-entry (POE) filters used in vans or boats. It determines how quickly water flows through the filter and, in turn, how fast you can refill tanks or other containers. Basically, the higher the flow rate, the faster your containers will refill.
Takeaway: The water filters we stock have varying flow rates depending on their filtration capabilities. POE filters, however, offer relatively higher flow rates since they are designed for quickly refilling a van's fresh water tank.
Step 12: Bacteriostatic Properties
When selecting a water filtration system, also ensure the filter media does not become a breeding ground for bacteria. It should inhibit bacterial growth, preventing trapped bacteria from multiplying, colonising or forming biofilms inside the filter.
Takeaway: Our water filters feature silver-impregnated activated carbon media. This delivers pure, great-tasting water while keeping the filter media hygienic and effective for longer.
Step 13: Capacity of the Water Filter
Filter capacity is a key factor in estimating how long the filtration media will last. The higher the capacity, the more water you can filter before performance declines and requires replacement.
Takeaway: As shown in the chart above, our water filters offer a range of capacities. The Puretec Z series provides the highest capacity, starting with the Z6 model and followed by the CR-Z2.
Step 14: Maintenance of the Water Filter
When choosing a water filter for your caravan, RV or boat, opt for one that is easy to maintain. This improves user-friendliness and helps extend the system's overall lifespan.
Takeaway: Our mountable water filters allow you to replace the filtration cartridge (typically every 6β12 months) with a simple twist. You won't need to unscrew the entire mounting bracket from its installed position.
Step 15: Build and Durability of the Water Filter
Once you've confirmed that a water filter performs well, make sure it is built with high-quality materials. This not only supports optimal performance but also increases durability and lifespan.
Takeaway: We currently stock only Puretec water filters, which are proudly made in Australia for harsh Australian conditions. They are constructed from rugged high-impact thermoplastic, solid activated carbon, and a tough fabric or synthetic fibre matrix.
Step 16: Warranty Support
A valid warranty is one of the major guarantees that a product is well-crafted and performs as described. It also builds buyer confidence, since you know the company fully supports you in case of defects or performance issues within the specified period.
Therefore, when shopping, choose a water filter that also comes with solid warranty support.
Takeaway: Like any other product in our store, the water filters we offer include solid one-year warranty support (excluding cartridges).
Step 17: Pricing and Cost-Effectiveness of the Water Filter
Finally, the water filter you choose for your camper should strike a good balance between price and features. It should be value-driven, delivering the best performance and longevity for your money.
Takeaway: The price of our water filters varies depending on the type and features. The Puretec Z6 is the most sophisticated and most expensive, while the CR20 is the most basic and least expensive.
The Drawback of a Nominal Filtration Rating
When guiding our customers on purchasing a specific product, we always like to break it down into stages for easier understanding and application. In this case, you must first determine why you need a water filter for your adventure vehicle so that you can identify the ideal type, features and budget to look for.
For the filtration process, activated carbon is an excellent filter medium. Its vast porous surface traps contaminants, including chlorine, chloramine, fluoride and heavy metals that cause bad taste and odour.
However, to effectively remove contaminants, a water filter's filtration level β or micron rating β must be smaller than the size of the contaminant particles or molecules. When we recommend a filter, we often use the term βnominalβ micron rating. This means the filter media cannot reliably or completely remove contaminants at that stated size.
For instance, a filter with a nominal 1-micron rating cannot effectively remove 1-micron sediment particles. Similarly, a nominal 0.1-micron filter can effectively remove E. coli bacteria (which are typically 0.3β1 micron in diameter), but it may only remove 70β80% of ultramicrobacteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
What micron rating do I need to remove E. coli from drinking water?
Choose an activated carbon filter rated at 0.1 micron or finer, as this is smaller than the typical diameter of the bacteria. In our range, the Puretec Z6 uses ultra-fine 0.1-micron filtration media, making it the most effective option for removing E. coli and other bacteria.
What is the difference between a POU and a POE water filter?
A point-of-entry (POE) filter is installed at the main inlet and treats water before it enters your fresh-water tank, while a point-of-use (POU) filter is installed at the specific point where you use the water, such as under the sink. Where possible, we recommend having both so all water used off-grid is clean and safe.
How often should I replace the filter cartridge?
Typically every 6β12 months. Our mountable water filters let you replace the cartridge with a simple twist, without unscrewing the entire mounting bracket from its installed position.
Do activated carbon filters waste water?
No. Activated carbon filters produce no wastewater during purification β nearly 100% of the water entering the cartridge emerges as filtered water, unlike reverse osmosis systems, where wastewater is a common drawback.
Ready for cleaner, better-tasting water on the road? Browse our full water filtration collection and set up your caravan, campervan, RV or boat with the right filter today.
