Clean drinking water thanks to water filter
No fear of germs and dirt particles in fresh water
Contaminated drinking water can spoil a camping holiday. An upset stomach is the least of it. With a water filter you protect yourself from invisible pollutants. This is because it removes germs and dirt particles from the fresh water.
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Contaminated water can have many causes
In principle, the drinking water in Germany and large parts of Europe is of excellent quality. At least as long as it flows through the pipes. At the latest at the end of the water tap, the risk of contamination with dirt particles and other unwanted foreign substances increases.
When filling the water tank, there is another weak point: the water hose. A little carelessness is enough and the hose falls onto the dirty floor. Often, the emptying point for the camping toilet is also located in the direct vicinity of the fresh water supply and the hose serves as a bridge for countless germs into the opening of the water tank.
To make matters worse, contaminated water is often not visible to the naked eye. That is why it makes sense to filter supposedly clean drinking water and thus eliminate hidden pollutants. Of course, this is even more true in regions with uncertain water quality.
Water filter for fixed installation or portable model?
Water filters for camping use are available in two different designs:
- Filters for fixed installation, also called inline filters
- Portable water filters, including so-called filling filters
No matter whether inline or filling filter: In terms of structure, most filters hardly differ from each other. The core element is a filter element made of plastic or organic material (e.g. activated carbon). The filter cartridge is encased in a housing, equipped with hose connections or a quick coupling. Electricity is not necessary for the operation of a drinking water filter. The water is only forced through the membrane with the help of the line pressure. The cost of a water filter is between 50 and 150 euros, depending on the design.
Built-in filters are integrated into the water circuit of the motorhome or caravan. They are usually placed just before a tapping point such as the sink so that the filter can reliably remove any residues from the hose line and tank.
Filling filters clean the water as soon as it is filled into the water tank. You attach these filters to the water hose. Some models have conveniently operated quick couplings for this purpose.
Here you can find the practical Gardena connection set in the Berger online shop.
When installing, bear in mind that you will have to change the filter cartridge over time. Position the filter so that you still have access to the filter cartridge later.
Fine and coarse filters for drinking water systems
In terms of filter performance, there is no fundamental difference between built-in filters and filling filters. The decisive factor is the filter material used. Depending on the filter model, different filter cartridges are used. Certain models can also be optionally equipped with different filter materials.
The fineness of water filters is given in micrometres "µm" (pronounced „My“). The smaller the value, the finer the particles the filter can remove. For filtration of germs and drug residues, the fineness must be less than 1µm.
Solid filters remove coarse particles
Pure solid filters remove small particles such as sand, rust and suspended matter from the water. The filter element is usually a plastic such as polypropylene (PP) or a textile material. The filter fineness of solid filters is 1µm. This allows a higher flow rate than with nanofilters. However, the solid filter does not remove chlorine, pesticides and similar pollutants.
Here you can find the WM Aquatec Mobile Edition water filter in the Berger online shop.
Fine filters extract microscopic particles
Filters based on activated carbon and other organic materials clean the water particularly thoroughly. The fineness of these filters is less than 1 µm. Thus, the fine membrane extracts chlorine, lead and copper. Even residues of medicines can be rendered harmless with high-quality water filters. On the other hand, the flow rate of many fine filters is less than 10 litres per minute. Patience is therefore required for correspondingly large motorhome tanks. Here you can find all products for drinking water treatment in the Berger online shop.
Water disinfection with UV light
In addition to mechanical filtration, germs in drinking water can also be rendered harmless with UV light. However, the technology required for this is more complex and significantly more expensive than conventional water filters. WM Aquatec offers a corresponding device for UV light disinfection. The „UV-L LED“ disinfection unit is permanently installed in the motorhome and requires battery power to operate the UV unit as well as its own pump. The water is disinfected without chemicals and the unit is maintenance-free. UV light disinfection is particularly suitable for large tanks. Here you can find all products for water tank disinfection and cleaning in the Berger online shop.
Water filters have a limited service life
With mechanical filtration, the filter material loses its effectiveness over time as its pores slowly become clogged with the collected pollutants. Therefore, the filter cartridge of these water filters can be removed and replaced.
There are various indications about the right time for filter replacement. The legal framework is provided by DIN 1988, which stipulates that the filter materials must be replaced after 6 months at the latest.
However, the recommendations of the individual manufacturers vary and are not always based on time, but sometimes also on the flow rate:
- Dr. Keddo recommends replacing his combination drinking water filter after 5000 litres,
- Alb Filter advises replacing its filter cartridges Active and Nano every 4 and 6 months respectively,
- WM Aquatec differentiates between the filter types. While the coarser PP filter should be replaced every three months, the fine activated carbon filter can remain in the filter housing for up to 12 months or 17,500 litres.
If the flow rate decreases considerably, it may also be necessary to replace the filter prematurely.
Pre-filter extends the service life of the water filter
A special feature of the drinking water filter from Alb Filter: The pre-filter is basically a solid filter that is inserted before the actual filter module. Since fewer pollutants reach the filter cartridge, its service life is said to be extended. The PP fleece in the pre-filter has a fineness of 40µm and thus removes coarse particles. The flow is only slightly slowed down. In this blog post we present the Alb Filter in detail.
Compact filters for tent and backpacking trips
The filters shown above are designed for large water tanks of motorhomes and caravans. But there are also suitable filters for smaller water volumes of a few litres.
Origin Outdoors water filter
This water filter is very powerful, because it can filter up to 100,000 litres. With an ultralight weight of only 58 grams, it is ideal for drinking directly from rivers, lakes or other freshwater sources while hiking or camping. Here you can find the water filter from Origin Outdoors in the Berger online shop.
Katadyn Befree
Befree is a particularly compact filter for hiking. The foldable bottle holds one litre and fits in any backpack or handbag. Below the mouthpiece is a hollow fibre filter membrane (service life up to 1,000 litres) that removes sediments and bacteria. Here you can find the Katadyn Befree water filter in the Berger online shop.
Conclusion: pure pleasure
A water filter is a fine thing in the truest sense of the word. Not only does the water taste better, it is also free of harmful substances. When buying, pay attention to the fineness of the filter cartridge. Because it depends on whether the water filter removes only coarse dirt particles or even the smallest germs.
The filter material you need depends on your travel destinations. Within Germany and in Central Europe, a solid filter is sufficient as long as the tap is connected to the drinking water network. In southern Europe in particular, however, drinking water quality is not always guaranteed. In this area, fine filtration, for example via activated carbon, is recommended. If you are planning a trip around the world, particularly thorough water disinfection with UV light may be worthwhile.
