Fresh Water Tank Treatments

Almost all tap water in the USA contains chlorine/chloramine - that should suffice. Most RVer's will sanitize their FW system once a year when they de-winterize.

Why not just drain it after each trip and refill with fresh water before your next one? Since you are not drinking it you should be fine with municipal tap water.

Sanitize the tank once or twice a year just for something to do.

I sanitized my fresh water tank the day I brought it home from the dealer. After that, never again, even after sitting all winter, and at home, we are on a well (with an all house filtration and water softener, but no chlorine). And yes, we drink the water.

We have found that filling our tank at campgrounds, especially where they have treated water, is sufficient to keep the tanks clean. And by the way, I still drink from the green garden hose laying in my grass at home too.

Some use food grade hydrogen peroxide and it is safer than using bleach and dissipates quickly. Do some googling on it. As I understand it, it should not be used as a primary treatment but if you are on a municipal water system, that's not an issue. I would think if you're sanitizing the tank at the start of each season you should be fine at one month intervals of use, esp. if not using it for drinking purposes.

Chlorine does dissipate over time though and can leave piping and tanks unprotected but takes months, like over the winter. What is your local water quality like? Maybe having it tested would give you an idea how good/bad it is. You could find adding bleach isn't needed. You could always use filtration ahead of the tank or after it depending on what might be in the water. Avoid using a carbon filter as they remove chlorine and thus protection. Some CGs can be on a private well system and not treat their water.

If you're afraid to drink the water, why bother sanitizing it at all?

GordonThree wrote:
If you're afraid to drink the water, why bother sanitizing it at all?

Agree. I never understood why folks will not drink the water from their tank, but will use it wash dishes, bathe, and brush their teeth with it? If it's THAT contaminated, you best not be washing dishes, or your body with it, and especially, using it to brush your teeth! (Don't make sense to me at all.)

We have well water, no chlorine.

WA Dept. of Health says 1 oz. of bleach for 10 Gallons of water to purify drinking water.

My final solution is sanitize twice a year,
Drain, refill with well water and add bleach each trip.

Thanks

I used Purogene from RVWaterFilterStore.com:

https://www.rvwaterfilterstore.com/h0027.htm

Don't fear drinking water from your RV tank if properly sanitized.

AlwaysDreaming wrote:
We have well water, no chlorine.

WA Dept. of Health says 1 oz. of bleach for 10 Gallons of water to purify drinking water.

My final solution is sanitize twice a year,
Drain, refill with well water and add bleach each trip.

Thanks

That ratio of chlorine to water would be more along the line for shock chlorinating a well not for purifying water.
To purify your water add 2 teaspoons of chlorine per 10 gallons for water.