Campervan Water System With Water Filter (Easy DIY)

This is a step-by-step guide that will teach you how to install your own campervan water system with water filtration and electric pump. Plumbing was one of the most challenging parts of our van build. We dealt with a lot of frustration when things just wouldn’t connect properly. 

There are so many different sizes of tubing, connectors, fitting, products, etc. After dozens of hours, multiple days and many returns later, I found our perfect campervan water system setup with a water filtration system.

This guide will simplify the process by linking to the exact products that work together and showing you how to connect them. You can save yourself the hassle and frustration by following our step-by-step guide.

Our campervan plumbing includes a flexible chrome-finish faucet for washing dishes and a second faucet strictly for filtered water. 

The addition of a water filtration system means that we don’t have to worry as much about where we get our water from. Honestly, the drinking water from our filtered faucet tastes as good as anything. 

Both faucets are powered by a 12-volt water pump. And our plastic water tanks are easy to carry and refill. The design is a perfect balance of cost, simplicity, look, and function.

In this post, I am going to take you step by step to show you which products to buy and how to connect them.

This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure policy.

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Vocabulary For A Campervan Water System:

• ID: Inside Diameter of a tube or pipe
• OD: Outside Diameter of a tube or pipe
• MIP: Male Iron Pipe (threads on a pipe)

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Tools Needed For A Campervan Water System:

• 2 Adjustable wrenches
• Power Drill
• Hole Drill Bits

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Products Needed For A Campervan Water System:

For this guide, I will include a list of all the items we used for our campervan sink plumbing with a water filtration system. For the best step by step guide we suggest these items, but feel free to interchange the sinks, and faucets. Just note that the plumbing might not match our exact guide below. And some of the fittings and connectors may need to change if you alter the products used.

Chrome Pull Down Single Handle Kitchen Sink Faucet

We went with the Chrome Pull Down Single Handle Kitchen Sink Faucet for our primary faucet. We chose this one because it looked sharp for a fraction of the price of other faucets. 

The one downside, is that you need to plug the hot water input (I will show you how), unless you decide to include a water heater. But our step by step guide is for cold water installation only.

Two braided tubes are included in the purchase of this faucet.

Ronaqua Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Faucet

Kingston Brass Gourmetier Undermount Single Bowl Bar Sink

Stainless Steel Keeney Bar Sink Strainer

Camco Flexible Camper Drain

Shurflo Water Pump

After 8+ months living in the van, the pump still works great! You can pair this with an accumulator and strainer to make the pump much quieter and to strain any debris out, but the add on’s were about the same price as the pump.

Therefore we decided if the pump brakes due to debris, it might be worth it to clean it out ourselves or purchase a new one. Also the noise of the pump doesn’t really bother us, because we only use it during the day when noise isn’t an issue.

12V Switch

Filtrete Maximum Under Sink Water Filtration System

Sioux Chief 3/4″ OD x 10′ Braided Vinyl Tubing

Sioux Chief 3/8″ OD x 1/4″ ID x 10′ Clear Vinyl Tubing

Sioux Chief 1/4″ OD x 15′ Polyethylene Tubing

1/2 in. x 5 ft. White PEX Pipe

NIBCO® 1/2″ Poly PEX Adapter Fitting

NIBCO® 1/2″ Poly PEX Plug Fitting

Watts® 3/8″ OD x 1/4″ OD Plastic Quick Connect Coupling Fitting

1/2 in. x 1/2 in. MIP Lead-Free Brass Hose Barb Adapter Fitting

1/2″ ID x 1/2″ ID x 1/4″ ID Tee Fitting

Breeze™ 1/4″-5/8″ Hose Clamp

Breeze™ 1/2″-1-1/16″ Stainless Steel Hose Clamp

Reliance Rhino-Pak Heavy Duty Water Container

GE Silicone Caulk, Clear

Plumbers Water Sealant Thread Tape

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Step By Step Guide For A Campervan Water System With Water Filtration System:

This step by step guide details the installation of your campervan sink plumbing starting from the faucets to fresh water tank.

Please Note: this guide is specifically for the products we used (listed up above). You may need different lengths of tubing depending on where exactly you mount your faucets, pump, filter, etc.  

OR if you purchase different products, just note that not all installations and fittings will be the same. But you still may be able to adapt certain parts of the system for your needs.

Step 1: Mount The Sink & Drain

The first step for this campervan water system is to install the sink by mounting it to the countertop. 

The sink doesn’t have to match our exact model, but for compatibility, we suggest using the drain we purchased and the Camco Flexible Camper Drain Hose. We know that they are all compatible.

For our campervan water system, we installed the sink with the screws it came with. Then added a layer of Silicone Caulk on the inside of the sink, right where the sink and countertop meet so no water could leak through. 

Once your sink is installed, next, install the drain. You want to make sure you seal the drain well, so you have no leaks. Therefore, coat the underside of the outer circle of the drain with the silicone caulk and place it down in the hole of the sink. One ring of caulk around the whole flange should be enough. If you use too much it will squeeze out. Let it dry for at least 12 hours.

Step 2: Install Faucets

Next step is to drill holes into the countertop for the two faucets heads. We went with the Chrome Pull Down Single Handle Kitchen Sink Faucet for our main faucet & Aquaboon Water Filter Purifier Faucet for the filtered water faucet.

Both faucets come with screw-on methods for securing them to the countertop. The main faucet has a black plastic flange that screws on from underneath to secure it. There is also a threaded collar that can be flipped to accommodate different countertop thicknesses.

The filtered water faucet comes with a standard nut that tightens a plastic washer to secure it from underneath.

For drilling holes into the countertop, you will need 2 circular drill bits. You will need a 1 1/2″ hole saw bit for the main faucet and a 1/2″ hole saw bit for the water filter faucet. If you don’t have circular hole drill bits, you can pick up a set here.

But since this will most likely be the only time you will use these bits, we suggest trying to borrow from family or friends. Both come with cover plates, so they will cover up any rough edges.

For the Pull Down Single Handle Kitchen Sink Faucet: Before you tighten the screw-on flange underneath the countertop, screw both the cold and hot water hoses (included) into their respective holes.  You won’t be able to do it after the flange is screwed on.

You can see in the picture how the hoses are stick up into the screw-on flange.

Step 3: Mount Pump & Filter

First, plan out where everything will go under the counter. Since you likely only have a small space, you need to make sure everything will fit. Make sure that there’s room for your water jugs, water filter, and water pump. And remember that the sink and drain will extend below the surface of the counter and take up space under the counter.  

To minimize tubing distances and increase flow pressure, it’s best to mount the pump and filter close to your faucet and water tanks.  But don’t mount everything so close together that it’s hard to access for maintenance or repairs.

The Shurflo pump can be mounted in any orientation, but the water filter needs to be mounted vertically.

Also the water filter needs to be mounted high enough that you can change the filter without removing the mounting. It requires at least 2 1/2 inches below the filter cartridge for proper clearance.

Once you plan where both the water pump and filter will go, attach them to the cabinet or wall.

Next wire the pump to a 12-volt power source and include a 15Amp fuse and an on/off switch. There are short red and black wires that come attached to the Shurflo pump. But you will most likely need to connect additional wiring to complete the circuit with a power source. To choose appropriate wiring size please refer to this wire calculator. Here is a diagram of how our pump is wired.

Step 4: Plug The Hot Water Tubing

The Chrome Pull Down Single Handle Kitchen Sink Faucet comes with two braided hoses. Those two hoses will attach underneath the faucet (screw on).

Next, we will plug the hot water hose since we  don’t have a hot water heater. We are intentionally creating a “dead-end”. Once the braided hose is attached to the faucet, add a NIBCO 1/2″ Poly PEX Adapter Fittings to the end, attaching a piece of Plumbers Water Sealant Thread Tape around the threads. 

It’s important to wrap the tape clockwise around the threads and use only one layer of tape (less is more).  This ensures that the tape doesn’t unravel when you tighten the fitting.

Cut off 3 inches of the Sioux Cheif 3/4″ OD x 10′ Braided Vinyl Tubing. Add the tubing to the pex adapter fitting with a hose clamp. Then, add the Nibco 1/2″ Poly Pex Plug Fitting to the other end with a hose clamp. You now have successfully plugged the hot water hose.  We attached the plugged end right up under the countertop so that it’s out of the way.

Step 5: Connect Cold Water Tubing To Pump

Now we will connect the cold water braided hose (from the main faucet) to the pump.

First, add the NIBCO 1/2″ Poly PEX Adapter Fittings attaching a piece of Plumbers Water Sealant Thread Tape around the threads (again, clockwise). Then, screw it onto the braided hose.

Cut 3 inches of Sioux Cheif 3/4″ OD x 10′ Braided Vinyl Tubing.  Attach it to the pex adapter fitting with a hose clamp.

It’s a good idea to keep the screw on your hose clamps facing you.  If you ever need to change or adjust them, it will be much easier to access the screw heads.

Attach the other end of the braided vinyl tubing to the 1/2″ ID Tee Fitting with a hose clamp. Then, cut the braided vinyl tubing and add it to the other side of the Tee Fitting with a hose clamp. 

Cut as much as you need to reach the right side of the Shurflo water pump. The water flows through the pump from left to right, (there are arrows on the pump that illustrate this).

(I will explain the other small perpendicular tube in just a moment)

Next, attach the braided vinyl tubing to the right side of the Shurflo RV Water Pump.  The pump comes with a barb attachment that fits snugly inside the 1/2″ ID tubing. Then secure the tubing with a hose clamp.

Step 6: Attaching The Water Filter To The Water Filter Faucet

We’re going to switch gears for a sec and connect the tubing for the water filter and filtered-water faucet.

Begin by taking the Sioux Chief 1/4″ OD x 15′ Polyethylene Tubing and feed it through the long metal threading on the bottom of the Ronaqua Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Faucet. A nipple, sleeve and compression nut will come in the package. Secure the tubing by tightening the compression nut around nipple, sleeve, and tubing. 

Now take the Watts® 3/8″ OD x 1/4″ OD Plastic Quick Connect Coupling Fitting and push the tubing in the 1/4″ OD side until it stops. Then tug on the tubing gently to “set” the connection.  This action drives the teeth into the tubing.

Then, take the blue pex tubing that comes with the Filtrete Maximum Under Sink Water Filtration System and push the tubing into the 3/8″ OD side of the fitting. Repeat the same tug outwards to “set” the connection. Now insert the other end of the blue pex tubing into the “output”, or right side, of the water filter until it stops.

Step 7: Attaching The Water Filter To Pump

Take the other blue pex tubing that came with the Filtrete Maximum Under Sink Water Filtration System and push it into the “intake” hole, or left side, of the water filter until it stops. 

Take the connector that comes with the Filtrete Water Filter system and insert the other end of the blue pex tubing into it until it stops. Tug gently to “set” the connection. Now cut 3 inches of Sioux Chief 3/8″ OD x 10′ Clear Vinyl Tubing and attach it to the other end of the connector with the nipple, sleeve and compression nut provided in the package.

Connect the other end of the clear vinyl tubing to the 1/4″ ID Tee Fitting with a hose clamp. 

Getting the tube to fit over the barb is a challenge and you might need to force it a little bit, but it will fit!

Again, it’s a good idea to keep the screw on your hose clamps facing you.  If you ever need to change or adjust them, it will be much easier to access the screw heads.

Step 8: Connect Water Pump To Fresh Water Tank

Next, cut 3-4 feet of the Sioux Cheif 3/4″ OD x 10′ Braided Vinyl Tubing and attach one end to the left side of the pump with a hose clamp. 

For the other end of the braided vinyl tubing, you will insert the “barb” side of the 1/2″ x 1/2″ MIP Lead-Free Bradd Hose Barb Adapter Fitting into the tubing. Next, grab the 1/2″ x 5′ White Pex Pipe, measure the height of the the pex tubing up against the height of your water jugs. Then cut the pex tubing with a saw. 

Then, add a tiny amount of silicone caulk around the end of plastic of the pex tubing. It’s a very close fit, so it doesn;t take much caulk to fill the “gap”. Insert it into the threaded part of the barb adapter fitting. Let the silicone dry 12 hours before testing the water! Plus, your drain isn’t hooked up yet anyway, so let’s take care of that.

Step 9: Connect The Drain To Grey Water Tank

Once the drain is sealed and dry, twist on the Camco Flexible Camper Drain to the threads of the drain. Add Plumbers Water Sealant Thread Tape around the threads to protect for leakage.

We then cut the black tubing in half, because the tubing was too long. The black hose should flow with gravity, and not ever go higher than the drain itself.  The ideal conditions are just a couple of inches extending into the top of the grey water tank.  You don’t want it do go too deep because it will get all dirty if it’s sitting in the water.

For the black tubing to fit flush to the lid of the grey water tank, we cut a hole in the cap disk. 

To protect from odor we use a diluted solution of Porta Pak Deodorizer.

Step 10: Test It Out!

Now it’s time to test the campervan water system. Turn on the faucets one by one and see if the whole campervan sink plumbing system works! Fill up the fresh water tanks and let it rip! It’s a good idea to have a towel nearby in case any of your connections aren’t watertight.

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Takeaway | Campervan Sink Plumbing With Water Filtration System:

Hopefully you find this step by step guide helpful and you can install your plumbing worry-free! We have been living in the van for almost a year and we have not had any leaks or problems! We are so thrilled to have campervan water system with water filtration and an electric pump. It’s one of the comforts that makes our little home on wheels more comfortable to live in. Let us know if you have any questions.

A Few Tips For Your Campervan Water System:

Don’t let your grey water tank get too full.  There isn’t any system in place to warn you when its about to overflow.  So be diligent about checking it so that it doesn’t overflow in your van.

There’s a helpful little sticker on the water filter that lets you know when it’s time to replace (about 6 months). Mount the sticker somewhere on the filter that’s easy to see.

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