We are currently camping in PA. From time to time, the water line, (the parks, not our hose), freezes up, so we have to rely on our fresh water tank for washing and flushing. We have bottled water for cooking. The. Dogs have had a bout with diarrhea, then DW, now me. Since we need to run the tank heaters to keep from freezing, I think that has contributed to bacteria growth in the tank?We have been camping on and off for 10 years, and only use the fresh water tank to flush, and wash. We have never had a problem before, but now ?? I know I should probably sanitize the fresh water tank with some bleach, but don't I need a pump?I would appreciate your thoughts!

you can fill a hose with bleach and then run it into the tank. do you give tank water to the dogs to drink? do you wash dishes and give them a final rinse with the tank water? I added bleach by taking out the filter element, filling the empty cartridge with bleach, then ran water in.bumpy

Use 1/4 cup bleach to every 15 gallons, fill the tank with clean water (and the bleach), and then run each faucet until you smell bleach. Let a sit a few hours and flush it a couple of times, and you should be good to go.

IdaD wrote:Use 1/4 cup bleach to every 15 gallons, fill the tank with clean water (and the bleach), and then run each faucet until you smell bleach. Let a sit a few hours and flush it a couple of times, and you should be good to go.This.It may be the tank, but it could also be your water lines or HW heater. Just clean the whole system, it's pretty easy. DON'T go overboard with the bleach, the ratio above is fine. Otherwise you will have a hard time getting rid of the smell/taste. If you do this at least once a year you should never have a problem. It also makes the tank water perfectly safe to drink & cook with, no need to carry so much bottled water.

I fill my 25' water hose with bleach then connect to city water and fill my tank, easy and mess free. I do this each spring and as above I run the water through all the faucets and let it sit overnight. Dump and rinse several times and good to go.

Then use bicarbonate of soda which helps in cleaning and gets rid of the chlorine taste.

Fresh water tank, contaminated? | Good Sam Community

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
you can fill a hose with bleach and then run it into the tank. do you give tank water to the dogs to drink? do you wash dishes and give them a final rinse with the tank water? I added bleach by taking out the filter element, filling the empty cartridge with bleach, then ran water in.
bumpy
IdaD
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
Use 1/4 cup bleach to every 15 gallons, fill the tank with clean water (and the bleach), and then run each faucet until you smell bleach. Let a sit a few hours and flush it a couple of times, and you should be good to go.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2016
IdaD wrote:
Use 1/4 cup bleach to every 15 gallons, fill the tank with clean water (and the bleach), and then run each faucet until you smell bleach. Let a sit a few hours and flush it a couple of times, and you should be good to go.

This.

It may be the tank, but it could also be your water lines or HW heater. Just clean the whole system, it's pretty easy. DON'T go overboard with the bleach, the ratio above is fine. Otherwise you will have a hard time getting rid of the smell/taste. If you do this at least once a year you should never have a problem. It also makes the tank water perfectly safe to drink & cook with, no need to carry so much bottled water.
Halmfamily
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
I fill my 25' water hose with bleach then connect to city water and fill my tank, easy and mess free. I do this each spring and as above I run the water through all the faucets and let it sit overnight. Dump and rinse several times and good to go.
Shadow_Catcher
Explorer
Feb 07, 2016
Then use bicarbonate of soda which helps in cleaning and gets rid of the chlorine taste.
Coach-man
Explorer
Feb 07, 2016
Thanks for the replies, the trick with the hose will probably work just fine. If I run both hot and cold this should clean everything?
Allworth
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2016
Run hot and cold at all faucets. Sink, basin, shower, toilet, and outside shower if you have one. You want the chlorinated water to fill EVERY line. Then let it sit for two to four hours before you start flushing it out. If some line, like the outside shower cold water line, for instance, is left full of contaminated water any bacteria that survive can then work back into the rest of the system.

That is not likely (from a Sanitary Engineering Perspective) but why risk it. It COULD happen.
christopherglen
Explorer
Feb 07, 2016
Some rv's are plumbed for a washer/drier. Even if not installed, the lines may be there. Those need to be flushed as well. Don't forget to drain a cup or two off the low point drains when everything else is done - share the love.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 07, 2016
Tank heaters should turn off at 66*F (on at 44*F)

Bacteria can grow in water temps above freezes but usually need temps above 70*F
Has your cold water been 'warm'?

Where was last place you filed tank....that water could be just different enough to upset dogs.
Have you tasted the water?
bucky
Explorer II
Feb 07, 2016
Why are you drinking water that you won't cook with?

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Fresh water tank, contaminated?

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