Bill D
Senior Member
No one ever worries about disinfecting their home pipes (unless there's a specific advisory about contaminated water). But not drinking the hot water is interesting...do you still trust it to clean your dishes and silverware, and face and hands? And shave with hot/warm water, risking introducing those bacteria into your bloodstream?
The home I just recently sold was built in 1950. I was very conscious about drinking water from the tap. It had galvanized pipes. Often when I went to work for more than a week at a time and came home, rust was the first thing that came out. I'd still drink the water but I would let it run for a couple of minutes first. In plenty of countries people don't drink from the tap. Typically the water is treated and safe at the source, but the water delivery system is the culprit.
I just purchased my Hawk used. I have no idea how well the previous owner maintained the water system. I flushed the system 2X with 2 teaspoons of bleach each time. I plan on drinking the water from my camper when I fill it with on the next trip. Keep in mind not everyone has access to chlorinated water.
There's a big difference between washing your hands and shaving with hot water and drinking it. When I vacation to Mexico/Jamaica, I shower, but I don't drink the water from the tap. If you want to go without showering or choose to drink the water... the choice is yours.