Sterilize Water Tanks

[MTramble]

What are you using/recommend to sanitize your camper water tanks and what is your sanitation procedure?

The manufacturer recommended bleach but I'm wondering if I'll have a lingering bleach taste.

Thanks!

 

[Cayuse]

Little bit of bleach, doesn't take much, I want to say a couple tablespoons is the recommended amount for 20 gallons of water. I usually add about 1/4 cup and let it sit in there for a couple days while I drive around town so it sloshes around then flush it really well, about two fills and drains does it.

Remember to run some of the bleach water from the tanks up through the sink to get it all the way through the system.

 

[Bosque Bill]

I used a strong solution of bleach on my virgin tank that was full of water. Don't remember now, but maybe a quarter cup - probably whatever FWC recommended. Then like Cayuse let it slosh around for a few days and pumped it though sink and shower. Filled and drained a couple times.

Subsequent years I probably used less than a teaspoon for a half or 3/4 tank*. As a single camper I don't fill the tank all the way. I would add water as needed through the season, but no more bleach. I drain the tank at the end of the season before taking off and storing camper for winter. If I'm late I'll use a couple gallons RV antifreeze rather than risk frozen pipes. Come spring I flush the antifreeze a couple times, then repeat.

This worked great for many years, then one trip to Colorado I discovered my water had turned all funky - looked ok, but stank! Luckily I was near Silverton where I bought a small bottle of bleach. I put maybe a cup in my half full tank and drove on. By that night it was no longer funky, but very bleachy (if that is a word.) I got gallon jugs of water for drinking for the rest of the trip, but used the tank for hand washing only. Drained the tank when home and flushed several times. Just fine the rest of the season.

* Edited to note that I live in the country with non-chlorinated well water.

 

[DanoT]

A strong bleach can sanitize in an hour while a weak solution will take 8 hours. I have the water/bleach formula, but not where I am right now.

I fill gallon jugs for drinking water and tank water is for washing dishes, hands, shower.

 

[klahanie]

+2 for thoroughly flushing the supply lines to the sink etc. During a reno when I removed my water system I discovered there was some gunk in the tubing but next to nothing visible in the tank.

 

[PaulT]

I have found it is very important to run three rinses after the chlorine shock treatment.

Also, run the shock treatment water through each faucet. sink and shower fixture. Then run the faucets at least a couple of minutes with each rinse water. When I have not done the faucet rinse procedure, I have experienced some off taste with warmer temps between trips.

Before using the water when camping, run water through both hot and cold pipes for a minute or so after the water has sat in the pipes. I don't know if the PEX pipes absorb some chlorine or the filter containerin the pump takes time to clear all the chlorine. No off taste for the remainder of the trip.

At any rate, I do this only once per year. Many times, the tank is refilled with chlorinated city water when camping which keeps the tank sanitized.

Paul

 

[BrianG]

I use chlorine test strips to check the chlorine level after sanitizing. Usually takes two rinses after the chlorine application. I also drive around with it in the system for a few days. We use the system water for everything, we’ve never had any issues.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thanks for all the info.
I usually do the tablespoon of bleach when finished with the camper.Living in a non freezing climate
I don't drain the system.
Before the first trip I may drain it or just add fresh.We have treated well water here.

When camping only carry about 1/2-3/4 full.Just for washing things.Gallon jugs refilled at camp for the rest.
Frank

 

[MTramble]

Thanks for all the advice and tips, appreciate it!

 

[rando]

If you want to avoid the bleach taste, you could also use hydrogen peroxide. You need more of it, and it provides less residual sterilization, but it is an option if you are adverse to the chlorine flavor/aroma.

 

[craig333]

Or you can run a filter. Unfortunately my pics got gobbled up by photobucket. I think I'll go sterilize my system. Probably time. Only this time when I refill the system I'll use my https://www.campingworld.com/tastepure-xl-rv-water-filter-112553.html#q=filter&lang=default&start=1&cgid=maintain-your-rv%2Ffresh-water%2Fwater-filtration
since my well water is pretty bad.

Internal filter https://www.campingworld.com/shurflo-universal-in-line-water-filter-27873.html#q=water%2Bfilter&lang=default&start=12&cgid=maintain-your-rv%2Ffresh-water%2Fwater-filtration

 

[Lighthawk]

This is a good reminder for me to treat our tank this weekend. A full tank seems to make the most sense, to fully treat the tank.

 

[Smokecreek1]

Me too! I need to go out and run some bleach through the system! Like everyone else here, been putting it off because I can't go anywhere!

Smoke

 

[Rdy2Roam]

I pretty much do the same thing but I also use a katdyn backpack pro water filter along with a Berkey travel water filtration system and they work great. I can fill up the katdyn filter from a stream and drink out of it same with the berky.

 

[Boonie]

Anybody using a disposable water filter such as a Camco TastePure on the tank output?