FAQ

Please read this before contacting us. Most questions about product choice, compatibility, lead times, installation, filter changes and troubleshooting are covered below.

If you are ready to order, please order directly through the website. If your question is not answered here, please contact us by email or WhatsApp.

Q: Shop Now

If you already know what you need, go straight to the relevant product page below.

Shop Stage One Shop Stage One + Stage Two Bundle Shop Stage One + Stage Two + RO Combo Shop FinalStage RO Shop Offgrid Rain

Q: What does Offgrid Water do?

Offgrid Water systems are designed to help you filter and use water from sources such as canals, rivers, lakes, rainwater systems and stored tank water.

Different systems do different jobs. Some are designed to fill your tank from untreated source water. Others are designed to improve drinking water that is already onboard.

Q: How did Offgrid Water start?

Offgrid Water began after Damian built a filtration system for his own canal boat in London.

The aim was simple: make it easier to filter water from canals, rivers, rainwater systems and tanks without relying on marina water points.

Q: Why choose Offgrid Water?

Offgrid Water systems are built for real-world use, not just theory. We have well over 300 units out in the wild and working across a wide range of off-grid and marine setups.

We are a customer-first business and we continuously improve our products based on direct customer feedback, field use and practical testing.

This means the systems you see today reflect ongoing refinement in areas such as reliability, usability, safety and ease of installation.

Our approach is simple: listen carefully, improve constantly, and build products that work properly in the environments they are actually used in.

Q: Which system do I need?

Stage One
Choose Stage One if you want to take water from a canal, river, lake or rainwater source and filter it into your tank for washing, showering and general domestic use.

Stage One + Stage Two Bundle
Choose this if you want Stage One to filter source water into your tank, and Stage Two to improve that stored water after your onboard pump or accumulator.

Stage One + Stage Two + RO Combo
Choose this if you want the most complete setup, taking water from source filtration through to high-quality remineralised drinking water.

FinalStage RO
Choose FinalStage RO if you want the highest level of purification at a dedicated drinking tap.

Offgrid Rain
Choose Offgrid Rain if you want a system specifically designed for rainwater harvesting, or for other suitable clean source-water setups.

Do not add Stage Two after Stage One and try to run both from the Stage One pump. Stage Two must be installed after your onboard pump or accumulator. Using the Stage One pump to drive Stage Two can overload and burn out the Stage One pump.

If you are drawing directly from untreated canal, river, lake or rainwater, Stage Two on its own is not a substitute for a proper Stage One source-water setup.

Q: What is the difference between Stage One, Stage Two and FinalStage RO?

Stage One is your primary source-water filtration system. It is designed to take water from canals, rivers, lakes or rainwater and make it suitable for general domestic use and as a feed into further purification.

Stage Two is a polishing filter for water that is already in your onboard tank or has already been filtered. It is installed after your onboard pump or accumulator and improves taste, odour and final water quality.

FinalStage RO is the highest purification level and is designed to provide ultra-pure remineralised drinking water through a dedicated drinking tap.

Important: Stage Two is not designed to be powered by the Stage One pump. It should be installed after your onboard pump or accumulator. Running Stage Two from the Stage One pump can burn out the Stage One pump.

These systems do different jobs, so choosing the right one matters.

Q: Can I still order online while the team is away?

Yes. Orders can still be placed through the website as normal.

Please order directly through the site rather than emailing to place an order.

Q: What is the lead time?

Lead times vary by product and demand. Please check the relevant product page before ordering.

As a guide, Stage One and the bundle pages currently state approximately 1 to 2 weeks for delivery, while FinalStage RO is typically 2 to 3 weeks due to batch production and configuration requirements.

Please check the live product page for the latest lead time before contacting us for an update.

Q: Do you provide installation instructions?

Yes. Please read the customer information and installation guidance fully before starting:

View customer information and instructions

Please read the instructions fully before cutting hose, mounting components or connecting fittings.

If you are unsure whether a system will fit your space, check the product dimensions before ordering.

Q: Do you offer installation?

No. Offgrid Water systems are designed for DIY installation and we do not offer installation services.

System Installation
Stage One No fixed installation required. Connect the hoses and begin filtering into your tank.
Stage Two Installed after your onboard pump or accumulator. This is not intended to be run from the Stage One pump.
FinalStage RO More involved under-sink installation, but still suitable for competent DIY fitting.
Offgrid Rain Installed inline with your rainwater harvesting or tank system.
Q: What are the dimensions of each system?

Please check the dimensions carefully before ordering and make sure you have enough installation space.

Product Approximate dimensions
Stage One W64cm × D31cm × H40cm
Stage Two W35cm × D15cm × H35cm
FinalStage RO W14cm × D45cm × H40cm
Offgrid Rain W74cm × D18cm × H55cm

If you are tight on space, check dimensions before ordering rather than after delivery.

Q: What fittings do your systems use?

Please check the product page for the standard fittings supplied with each system before ordering.

If you need a different connection size or plumbing arrangement, contact us before ordering, not after delivery.

Requests to change fittings after an order has been built may not always be possible.

Q: Can I request different fittings or custom plumbing?

Possibly, but this must be agreed before you order.

If you need a non-standard fitting size, a specific hose arrangement or a custom layout, please contact us before purchase with clear details and photos if relevant.

Q: Do the systems include pumps?

Most Offgrid Water source-water systems include an onboard pump for drawing water from a source such as a canal, river, lake or tank.

Stage Two does not include a pump and must be installed after your existing onboard pump or pressure system.

Do not use the Stage One pump to run Stage Two.

Q: What power supply do the systems use?

Please check the product page for the power requirements of your chosen system before ordering.

  • Stage One: 200W, with 12V or 230V adapters supplied
  • Stage Two: 0W, passive filtration
  • FinalStage RO: 230V 3-pin plug, 75W, with a 12V option available
  • Offgrid Rain: 230V, 200W while operating, 0W on standby

If you are installing onto a boat, campervan or other off-grid setup, make sure your electrical supply is suitable for the unit you are buying.

Q: What flow rate should I expect?

Flow rate depends on the product, the condition of the filters, the water source, the pipework and how the system has been installed.

  • Stage One: typically 10 to 12 litres per minute
  • Stage Two: up to 16 litres per minute, depending on your existing pump and setup
  • FinalStage RO: approximately 1.6 litres per minute
  • Offgrid Rain: typically 8 to 10 litres per minute on the pump version, and up to 15 litres per minute on the non-pump variant

Dirtier source water and partially blocked filters will reduce flow. Air leaks, poor hose routing or unsuitable fittings can also affect performance.

If flow drops noticeably after a period of use, the first thing to check is the filter condition.

Q: Why is the system spluttering, drawing air, or losing flow?

This is usually caused by one of the following:

  • a blocked or overdue filter replacement
  • an air leak on the suction side
  • a loose fitting or hose connection
  • hose routing that allows air ingress or restriction
  • an issue with source water pickup or feed arrangement

Check filters first. Then check all hose runs, seals and connections carefully.

Q: What if the pump stops working?

In most cases, a pump stopping or struggling indicates a blocked filter that needs replacing.

Please check and replace filters first before reporting a fault.

If you have added extra restriction incorrectly, such as trying to run Stage Two off the Stage One pump, stop using the system in that configuration immediately.

The customer information page also covers common causes of reduced flow and pump issues:

View troubleshooting and customer information

If the issue continues after this, contact us with your order number, a description of the problem, and photos or video if possible.

Q: What if there is a leak?

If you notice a leak, switch the system off and inspect all fittings, housings, seals and threaded connections carefully.

Many leaks are caused by a loose fitting, incorrect installation or a seal not seated properly.

Some jubilee clamps or hose clips may need tightening from time to time as hoses bed in.

If the leak appears to be from a component itself, contact us with photos or video so we can assess it quickly.

Q: What if a part is faulty, damaged or missing?

Please contact us as soon as possible after delivery with your order number and clear photos.

If a part is genuinely faulty, damaged in transit or missing from the order, we will work with you to resolve it.

Q: What if water quality or performance is not as expected?

Please first check that the correct system has been chosen for your use case and that it has been installed correctly.

Performance can be affected by source water quality, filter condition, installation method, pressure, air ingress and maintenance.

Stage One is for source-water filtration into your tank. Stage Two refines already stored water. FinalStage RO provides the highest level of drinking-water purification.

If you believe there is a genuine product issue, contact us with your order number and as much detail as possible, including photos or video where relevant.

Q: How much does it cost to run?
Water type Typical annual consumables cost
Urban canal water with RO £150 to £170
Rural canal water £60 to £80
Rainwater harvesting £40 to £80
Clean spring or stream water £15 to £30
Q: How often do filters need replacing?

Filter life depends heavily on the water source and how much water you are using.

Dirtier water will block filters more quickly. Reduced flow is often the first sign that a filter needs replacing.

  • Stage One: approximately 1,500 to 2,000 litres
  • Stage Two: typically 4 to 8 months
  • FinalStage RO: typically 12 to 24 months
  • Offgrid Rain: approximately every 2,000 to 10,000 litres depending on source water

Please follow the relevant guidance for your system and water source.

Q: Do you sell replacement filters and parts?

Yes. Replacement filters and related parts are available.

Please make sure you order the correct replacements for your system.

Q: What warranty do you offer?

Offgrid Water systems include a two-year warranty covering mechanical and electrical components.

Pumps carry a one-year warranty.

Filters, UV elements and related consumables are replaced periodically depending on use.

Q: Can I cancel or return an order?

Please refer to our returns and cancellation policy on the website before ordering.

If you need to request a cancellation, contact us as quickly as possible with your order number.

Once a build has been started or a system has been made to an agreed specification, cancellation or return options may be more limited.

Q: What if my circumstances change after ordering?

If your boat location, delivery needs or timing changes after placing your order, please contact us as soon as possible.

We will do our best to help where possible, but changes cannot always be guaranteed once an order is in progress or has shipped.

Q: What if I still have a question?

If your question is not answered above, please contact us by email or WhatsApp.

To help us deal with your query quickly, please include your order number and clear details of the issue.