Water from your home borehole, campsite, municipal tap or even a stream may look clear and clean β until you drink it. Inside that sparkling appearance can be millions of fine silt particles, metallic minerals, chemicals, bacteria and other contaminants waiting to get into your body. But with the Puretec CR20 portable inline water filter we're reviewing today, you can remove these impurities, leaving you with healthy, better-tasting drinking water. It uses a mechanical filtration process with 1-micron carbon media, removing very fine silt as well as yeast cells, parasites and bacteria.
As a point-of-entry (POE) system, this filtration device treats water at the main inlet, before it enters your camper's main plumbing setup. After the purification, the water entering your tank will be pristine β assuming you keep the tank clean at all times.
In this article, we'll cover every key detail you should know about this caravan water filter before purchasing it for your caravan, campervan, RV or boat. We'll focus on all the essential details that matter, including what to expect in the box, compatibility requirements, filtration performance, expected lifespan and others.
Puretec CR20 Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Puretec CR20 Portable Inline Water Filter |
|---|---|
| Type of Filter | Portable inline filter |
| Category of Filter | Point-of-Entry (POE) System |
| Dimensions | 335 mm (H) x 65 mm (W) (with fittings) |
| Build Materials | High-impact thermoplastic, Brass |
| Connection Size | Standard 1/2" |
| Nominal Filtration Rating | 1 micron |
| Filter Capacity | 7,500 litres |
| Filtration Media | SilverPlus impregnated carbon |
| Maximum Pressure Rating | 520 kPa |
| Maximum Temperature Rating | 38Β°C |
| Max Flow Rate | 20 LPM |
| Flow Direction | Bi-directional |
The Puretec CR20 is a simple yet highly convenient water filtration system you can consider for your adventure van or boat. Its standout feature is the proprietary SilverPlusβ’ impregnated carbon media, which not only captures very fine microscopic particles β such as silt, rust flakes, dust, yeast, cryptosporidium, E. coli bacteria and other contaminants around 1 micron in size β but also prevents the growth of fungi and bacteria inside the cartridge.
As a portable inline filter, it has a compact design that's easy to carry and use almost anywhere you're refilling water: at home, a campsite, the beach or even natural streams. The inline configuration means you simply connect it to your water supply hose, and it filters the water as it flows through continuously.
Regarding flow rate, the CR20 is rated for a maximum of 20 litres per minute (LPM). If your water source can supply it, this allows you to refill a 100-litre fresh water tank in just 5 minutes or a 300-litre tank in about 15 minutes. For more details on this water filtration system, continue reading the complete review below.
What's Included in the Box?
As we mentioned earlier, this Puretec unit is a simple yet highly effective filtration system for caravanners, RVers, boondockers and boaters. When you unbox it for the first time, you'll find just the two main items:
- Puretec CR20 cartridge: The main filtration unit, which removes sediment, taste, odour, chemicals and other contaminants from your water, making it safer and more pleasant to drink.
- Connection fittings: Two standard 1/2" quick-connect hose adapters for attaching the filter to your water source and storage tank inlet hose.
Design, Dimensions and Build Quality
Physical Design and Dimensions
As a portable filter, the CR20 is impressively compact, measuring approximately 335 mm in height and 65 mm in width. Its cylindrical design β like those silicone caulk cartridges β makes it easy to store in a cabinet or storage box when not in use. Thus, you can enjoy clean water for drinking, cooking, bathing or washing, no matter where your travels take you.
Construction and Durability
Like other Puretec products, the CR20 has a premium, durable feel in hand. The outer housing is made of heavy-duty polypropylene β a high-impact thermoplastic that's highly resistant to chemicals and everyday wear. As a result, it can withstand harsh acids, solvents, accidental drops, shocks and stress without cracking or degrading quickly.
The included hose fittings are crafted from tough brass, which also offers excellent resistance to breakage, corrosion and extreme temperatures. Furthermore, the entire system is rated for a 7,500-litre filter capacity, which β as we'll break down shortly β can refill your storage tank 75 times before replacement is needed.
What Water Pressure and Temperature Does the CR20 Need?
Puretec states that the portable CR20 filtration system can only operate effectively within a water pressure range of 200β520 kPa (about 29β75 psi) and temperatures from 2Β°C to 38Β°C. If the temperature of the flowing water is below this range, the filter media may fail to operate properly, whereas a higher temperature can damage the unit.
On the pressure side, exceeding the maximum 520 kPa could cause leaks at the connections or, in extreme cases, damage the filter media or housing. Conversely, pressure below the 200 kPa minimum can reduce performance β leading to a slow trickle (instead of the rated flow), less effective filtration, or even complete flow stoppage.
How Do You Install and Use an Inline Caravan Water Filter?
Ease of Installation
The CR20 is an inline water filter, so setup is straightforward with no mounting required. After unboxing, you simply remove the protective plugs from both ends of the cartridge and screw on the provided 1/2" hose fittings.
Next, connect one end of the filter to the hose from your water source (e.g., tap or pump). Then, attach the other end to your outlet hose, which feeds into your fresh water tank for refilling.
Tip: The filter supports bi-directional flow, so either end can connect to the source β no specific "in" or "out" orientation needed. Also, the brass fittings are quick-connect style, requiring no tools (but you can add hose clamps for extra security).
Ease of Use and First Flush
To operate your Puretec inline filter system, you simply open the taps on your water source, and it'll start flowing through and out.
It's important to let water run out of the "outlet hose" onto the ground for a short time before connecting it to your tank. This step flushes out the fine carbon dust and manufacturing residues commonly present in new activated carbon filters. While these residues are not toxic, allowing them to enter your fresh water tank could carry them into your main plumbing system, potentially clogging valves and staining sinks.
What Does the Puretec CR20 Filter Out?
One of the bestselling features of Puretec water filters is their exceptional filtration performance β and the CR20 model does not disappoint. The unit uses a carbon block filter media with proprietary SilverPlusβ’ antibacterial layers.
As water flows into the filter cartridge, it first passes through the carbon block, which attracts and binds organic contaminants, chemicals and impurity particles 1 micron or larger. This captures everything from very fine silt, soot, clay particles, rust flakes and dust to yeast cells, bacteria (such as E. coli and Pseudomonas) and cryptosporidium.
At the same time, the proprietary SilverPlusβ’ Technology releases silver compounds that prevent bacterial regrowth by disrupting their cell walls and inhibiting enzyme function. This helps preserve the filter's health and performance, ensuring you enjoy clean, better-tasting water for longer.
Note: The CR20 purifies water through a purely mechanical filtration process β without adding any chemicals. To improve taste, it removes the nominal 1-micron particles and minerals (such as iron, zinc, manganese and copper) that often affect flavour.
Flow Rate and Filter Life: How Long Does It Last?
Beyond removing dust, dirt, yeast, bacteria, chemicals and other contaminants, this inline filter does so efficiently. It delivers a flow rate of 0β20 litres per minute (LPM), allowing fast tank refills, as long as your source tap can sustain the required operating pressure.
For example, at the maximum flow rate of 20 LPM, the system can refill a 100-litre fresh water tank in about 5 minutes (100 Γ· 20). This calculation assumes the source maintains a consistent flow and the incoming water isn't heavily loaded with granular impurities that could restrict flow. Faster refills mean your connected pump also works less.
Furthermore, Puretec rates this filtration system at a generous 7,500-litre capacity. This means it can refill a 100-litre storage tank 75 times (7,500 Γ· 100) before replacement is needed. Similarly, it can fill a 300-litre storage tank up to 25 times before the filtration media deteriorates.
That said, the actual lifespan of any water filter depends on both its quality and the level of contaminants in the source water. You may therefore need to replace the CR20 filter cartridge sooner if you are filtering heavily contaminated water.
How Much Does the Puretec CR20 Cost in Australia?
The Puretec CR20 portable inline water filter is priced at just $139 here at our store, Campervan Builders. This is an absolute steal, considering the unit's outstanding performance, convenience and longevity. After all, these three factors cover the key elements every professional builder recommends when choosing any accessory for your caravan, RV, campervan or boat.
Beyond Drinking and Cooking Water
The CR20 is a great investment if you want to enjoy clean, healthy, better-tasting water every time you travel or camp. Its nominal 1-micron filtration rating effectively prevents sediments and contaminants 1 micron in size (and larger) from entering your fresh water tank. As a result, you not only get safe water for drinking and cooking but also avoid irritants when showering or washing dishes.
That said, the 1-micron rating is nominal for this portable inline filtration system. Therefore, it reliably blocks sediments and contaminants larger than 1 micron as they attempt to pass through the carbon media. However, it may not be 100% effective at capturing particles exactly 1 micron in size.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Puretec CR20
What does the Puretec CR20 remove from water?
Its 1-micron SilverPlusβ’ impregnated carbon media captures contaminants 1 micron or larger, including fine silt, soot, clay particles, rust flakes, dust, yeast cells, bacteria (such as E. coli and Pseudomonas) and cryptosporidium, plus taste- and odour-affecting minerals like iron, zinc, manganese and copper.
How long does the CR20 filter cartridge last?
It's rated for a 7,500-litre capacity β enough to refill a 100-litre tank 75 times or a 300-litre tank up to 25 times. Heavily contaminated source water may shorten that lifespan.
Does the CR20 have a specific flow direction?
No. It supports bi-directional flow, so either end can connect to the water source. The brass quick-connect fittings also require no tools to attach.
What water pressure does the CR20 need to work properly?
It operates effectively between 200 and 520 kPa (about 29β75 psi) and at water temperatures from 2Β°C to 38Β°C. Below 200 kPa you may get a slow trickle or flow stoppage, while exceeding 520 kPa risks leaks or damage to the media or housing.
Want cleaner, better-tasting water on every trip? Get the Puretec CR20 portable inline water filter for $139 at Campervan Builders today.
