RVers can use several methods to connect to city water. Some provide more protection for RV plumbing, while others ensure cleaner drinking water. All methods transport water from a spigot to your RV’s city water inlet so it can be used for filling water bottles, washing dishes, showering, and anything else you need.
But there’s more here than meets the initial eye, so let’s explore how to hook up an RV water filter and pressure regulator and several ways to safely get campground water into your RV.
Key Takeaways
- Minimal Protection: Potable Water Hose Only – This is quick and simple but risky. Unregulated water pressure can damage RV plumbing, and unfiltered water quality varies by location. It is not recommended.
- Moderate Protection: Hose + Inline Water Filter – Improves water quality but still exposes RV plumbing to high pressure; improper installation can stress the city water inlet. Not ideal, but possible in a pinch.
- Best Protection: Hose + Filter + Pressure Regulator + 90° Elbow – Regulates water pressure, filters contaminants, and reduces strain on the water inlet, ensuring the safest and most efficient setup. Best practice.
Least Protection: Potable Water Hose Only
Using only an RV potable water hose is an uncomplicated method to get water into your RV: Connect the male end of your potable water hose to your city water inlet, then install the female end to the campground spigot. Turn on the water at the spigot, and it will flow into your RV.
BUT WAIT!
While the simplicity of this method is attractive, the dangers are real. Campground water sources will enter your RV at different pressures. Dangerously high water pressure can crack or rupture RV water lines, leading to leaks that can cause major water damage and lead to expensive repairs.
Even if water pressure isn’t an issue, water quality is a concern. Some campgrounds are supplied by a regulated city water source. Others may pull from a local well. Municipal water quality regulations vary by region. All that said, you’re at the mercy of others when hooking up to city water without an RV water filter.
VERDICT: Not Recommended
Moderate Protection: Potable Hose + RV Water Filter
Another common way to connect to city water is using a potable water hose with an inline RV water filter. Most RVers will do so by screwing the water filter directly onto the campground spigot. Then, they’ll connect the male end of the potable water hose to the city water inlet and attach the female end to the water filter.
Inline RV water filtration systems must be installed in the proper direction. Inline filters typically have an arrow on the exterior that displays the intended direction of water flow. Be mindful of this direction when hooking up an RV water filter.
Technician Tip: In some cases, campground spigots are low to the ground, making it impossible to install the water filter before the potable water hose. In these circumstances, you can simply reverse the order by connecting the water filter to your city water inlet before attaching the male end of the potable water hose to the filter and the female end to the water spigot.
BUT WAIT!
This method still ignores the dangers of variable water pressure from campground spigots. While it provides added protection from lower-quality water sources, it comes with an additional risk if the campground spigot is too low for a filter-to-spigot connection.
Installing an RV water filter directly to your city water inlet places undue stress on the inlet. The added weight of the filter can lead to inlet damage, which can be an expensive repair in and of itself, if it doesn’t lead to water damage that requires more extensive renovation work.
VERDICT: Not Recommended (But You Might Get Away With It)
Ideal Protection: Potable Hose + Filter + Pressure Regulator + 90° Elbow
The best method for connecting to city water is to connect an RV water pressure regulator directly to the campground spigot. Then, attach your RV water filter to the pressure regulator. Find your 90° elbow and connect the male end to your city water inlet. Attach the male end of your potable water hose to the 90° elbow and connect the female end to your RV water filter.
When you turn the water on at the spigot, you now enjoy maximum protection. The water pressure regulator keeps water pressure at a safe PSI (pounds per square inch) for your RV plumbing. The water filter removes contaminants to ensure clean drinking water. The 90° elbow minimizes stress on your city water inlet and reduces the chances of an expensive and unnecessary repair.
VERDICT: BEST PRACTICE
Technician Tip: Some RV campers take extra precautions to protect their RV plumbing and ensure cleaning drinking water. Additional steps include upgrading to an adjustable RV water pressure regulator and using an RV water softener.
How To Adjust an RV Water Pressure Regulator
Upgraded RV water pressure regulators allow you to set your preferred pressure. Designs differ by manufacturer, but most have a dial directly on the regulator that allows you to increase or decrease the pressure. In most cases, the campground spigot must be fully opened to use the pressure regulator to its full capacity. Some models require gently pulling up on the dial to adjust the pressure before pushing it down to lock it in place at your preferred setting.
Learn more about RV water systems:
- How Do RV Water Systems Work?
- How To Drain an RV Water Heater
- How To Sanitize an RV Fresh Water Tank
- What Is an RV Water Softener?
How do you hook up your RV water filter and pressure regulator? Let us know in the comments below!
