How and Why to Purify Your Water

How and Why to Purify Your Water

Lets’ cut right to the chase: as to why you should purify your water. “Montezuma’s revenge;” enough said!  Who was this Montezuma character anyway? And what did we do to make him so mad? He was the Tlatoani (king or ruler) of the Aztec civilization, south of the border from 1502-1520.

Enough history for now; how do we purify your water?

If you are travelling to a remote campground, you will have no way of knowing if the water is safe to drink. Even if you visit a populated area, the water may be just a little different than your local Chablis. It is best to play it safe and filter the drinking water as it enters your RV. Filter kits are available at RV dealers, or you can purchase a household system from Home Depot or Lowes. A 2 stage system complete with a carbon filter is the best solution.

What exactly are you trying to filter out of the water anyway? The answer is parasites, bacteria, and toxic metals. The word parasite alone should be enough to get your attention.
Be sure to use a white RV hose for your drinking water supply line. A standard garden hose will emit toxins into the water stream. It will also make the water taste like a garden hose, which is okay if you are a plant.

For that first camping trip of the season, you should thoroughly rinse your hose. Prior to use, pour a small amount of bleach into the hose and flush it for about 15 minutes. This will eliminate any bacteria which may have formed from the remaining water left inside the hose over the winter. It is a good idea to flush all of the lines of the RV as well.

Fill your fresh water tank at home. This will provide an adequate drinking water supply for the weekend. For longer trips, if you need to refill the tank on the road, you can add water purification tablets or a water-freshener liquid. Both will help to purify the water and improve the flavor.

Myself, I try avoid the Aztec Tlatoani altogether by drinking bottled water. You may spend a few extra bucks, but you can’t beat the flavor of an ice cold drink of spring water. The only concern with bottled water is the shelf life. While the label may say it is good for 2 years, I dispose of any unused bottles left over from the previous camping season.

Even if you take the bottle water route, it is a good idea to install a filtration system. After all, you will still be using the RV water for brushing your teeth, doing the dishes, and making ice cubes. Although for ice cubes, it is much easier to purchase ice from the campground store.

If you are going for a longer hike or canoe trip it is wise to take a water purification device with you. They are lightweight and highly effective and can save you from serious dehydration.