Purifying Water with the Thirsty Nomad

Purifying with the Thirsty Nomad

Caravanning accessories vary from fans to solar panels but what about those that could potentially save our lives? We spoke with the Thirty Nomad to discuss their water filtration products.

The Thirsty Nomad is in a very niche market. What was the cause that brought about the company’s founding?

The Thirsty Nomad was born out of the desire to provide caravanners with the latest in water purification nanotechnologies, a quantum leap from the existing generic water filters on the market, that have not advanced in 20 years and offered limited disinfection capabilities.

The Thirsty Nomad found that existing filters in the caravan market were often simple, over-priced, loose granular activated carbon filters that don’t filter below 1 micron, don’t remove heavy metals, and don’t provide independent trusted certification for the elimination of bacteria, with very few backed by scientific rigour. The Thirsty Nomad wanted to change that.

Is there anything in particular that the Thirsty Nomad is known for that separates it from others in the industry?

The Thirsty Nomad offers a 5 in 1 caravan filter that filters down to 0.01 micron — 100 times finer than the standard 1 micron filters on the market. Our filters use Quantum Disinfection™ — a disinfection media, certified by 13 global laboratories and 7 global patents and tested against the NSF standards to kill 99.99 per cent of bacteria and viruses in 0.1/second. 

Our filter comprises carbon fibre block — carbon fibre is 15-19 times higher contamination removal than granular activated carbon. The Thirsty Nomad publishes scientifically proven laboratory results to back our claims and meets NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) 42 and NSF 61 Standards. 

There is clearly strong dedication behind the motivations of the brand, but is there something else you would attribute the success of the Thirsty Nomad too?

As a company, we have a relentless pursuit of the highest quality and have years dedicated to the microbiology of safe water. We have achieved what we have as we trust only in scientific evidence and only source the very latest in certified water disinfection technologies. 

We trust in the fundamental principles of water science and use only the latest in high performing water purification technologies that are independently certified — every one of our components meets strict internationally recognised water standards. We use the latest generation Ultrafiltration from Japan, the highest quality carbon fibre block from Japan, the finest heavy metal removal media from Germany and the latest in nano-technology disinfection in our Quantum Disinfection™ media. 

Which filter is the Thirsty Nomad’s best-selling? Does this differ from your staff favourite?

Of course, it’s the ‘5 in 1’ that as a company we’re all most proud of. Customers also feel the same as it’s our best-seller as is our highest level of protection, removing heavy metals and filtering down to 0.01 microns. 

You mentioned the Thirsty Nomad had a diverse team of scientists and global laboratories. Where are the filters made and how are they tested?

Our ‘5 in 1’ water filtration product is made in Taiwan, while out our Carbon Fibre Block and our 0.01 micron Ultrafiltration are made in Japan. Our Quantum Disinfection™ is made in the USA and Canada and our Heavy Metal removal media is made in Germany. Dr Christian Chis PhD, inventor of Quantum Disinfection™ is a member of the Thirsty Nomad team. 

As for testing and quality control, the ‘5 in 1’ Thirsty Nomad filter was tested by Australia’s leading NATA accredited microbiological laboratories, Symbio Laboratories in April 2012. The test was conducted under the Australian and New Zealand Standard 4276.7:2007 Water Microbiology — Method 7 (AS/NZS 4276.7:2007). The Thirsty Nomad ‘5 in 1’ filtered a raw water sample of 600 CFU/100mL of E-Coli down to an E-Coli count of <1 (Zero). 

The water filters are clearly meant to be taken out while travelling. As a manufactuer of equipment for the adventure and travel industry, are there particular destinations you recommend everyone visit?

Here at the Thirsty Nomad, we’d recommend travellers explore The Bungles Bungles, Carnarvon George and Birdsville. 

Do you have any tips to help users enjoy your products to the fullest?

For scientific and health reasons, water purification is best provided for, from as close to the point of use as possible, that is why the Thirsty Nomad encourage customers to install their purifiers under the sink for pure safe drinking water on the road.

Is there anything you want to tell both first-time and experienced buyers alike?

The ‘5 in 1’ will last the distance — we have purposefully enabled our filter to last for 2 years or 10,000 litres, as we wanted to give our customers maximum value for money. 

What models do the Thirsty Nomad current offer?

The Thirsty Nomad currently has two models of water filters, the ‘5 in 1’ and the ‘3 in 1’. 

The ‘5 in 1’ is our highest level of protection, ideal for the offroader, those with compromised immune systems, young families, or those drawing from rivers and streams that have high turbidity. The 0.01 micron Ultrafiltration as well as the Quantum Disinfection™ together can purifier natural water sources. 

The ‘3 in 1’ is for the not so offroad traveller using clear, pre-treated water – ideal for removing colour, taste and odour while also offering a double layer of disinfection with the Quantum Disinfection™.

Can customers find the Thirty Nomad filters in dealerships? If so, which ones?

The Thirty Nomad is currently sold by supportive caravan manufacturers. These are Jawa Campers, Kratzman, Bushtracker, Mountain RV and Trackabout, to name a few.