The existence of hard water or poor quality water may be something you experience at home. Most likely you take steps to deal with that issue, such as using water filtration systems. In an RV, the quality of the water can easily change depending on the weather or where you are. For example, some areas of the country are more susceptible to having a high concentration of minerals in their water than others. You don't have to be subjected to the varying conditions of water you may find at different campgrounds. There are several different ways to ensure that your water is clean and safe to use for drinking or washing.

Water de-ionizers are one example of how you can receive better quality water. They are made to remove positive and negative charged ions in the water, by passing the water through different resins. These ions come from certain minerals such as calcium, iron, fluorides and magnesium. Water de-ionizers can be in the form of a dual bed, keeping the resins separate, or in a single mixed resin bed. De-ionizers are practical for getting rid of hard water, particularly for washing your RV exterior. They save you from having to immediately dry off the RV to avoid spots after rinsing. Keep in mind that de-ionizers are not intended to purify poor quality water for consumption.

In a worse scenario, hard water can build up in pipes or on surfaces, ultimately damaging them. Though not particularly dangerous, when used for washing it can be tough on clothes and harsh on skin as well. You may even notice less water coming from faucets or showerheads. Water pressure may not be the main problem. The build-up from hard water can also reduce the amount of water that flows through your pipes. For getting rid of hard water in this instance, a water softener should be used. Water softeners also use resins to remove the ions that come from mineral substances in the water. The difference is they are usually replaced by sodium ions rather than the hydrogen ions typically found in de-ionizers.

If you need to purify your water further, particularly for drinking and cooking, water filtration is the way to go. Water filters can help block contaminates that may be in the water. These are elements can cause your water to have a strange taste or smell, not to mention they may be harmful to consume. Depending on your needs, there are several different kinds of filtration systems available. There are under the sink models that work directly with your RV kitchen faucet, inline filters that hook up to a hose, as well as whole vehicle systems that can take care of all the water in your RV.

If you need assistance in understanding all the fresh water products available, please feel free to contact us.

By Julie T

Here are a few fresh water items to consider: