I finally cleaned my water system with the bleach method last week to get rid of the stinky water from the fresh tank. I never worried about purifying the system because I do not drink from it. That was okay for a long time, but this summer the water developed a really awful smell that needed to be dealt with.Now, here is my question. I am thinking that adding a tiny bit of bleach every time I fill my fresh tank will keep it from ever getting "funky" again. Does anyone know of any reasons why 1) this won't work, or 2) will damage my water system? REMEMBER- I do not use the water for drinking or cooking.I should also add that just about the only time I even use the fresh tank is to put water in the toilet after draining the tanks at a campground without sewer hookups. During a stay, I hook up to the city water.

That city water you use at CG is same water you should be putting in your fresh water tank and it's already chlorinated.Don't use the water fro drinking/cooking...but you use it to shower and probably wash dishes.Showering.....human skin is the largest organ and absorbs things from water.So if it's good enough to shower in then you can drink/cook with it.Stinky water is due to water being stagnant OR water source was untreated.Yes you can add chlorine but it doesn't take much.Sanitizing is accomplished with just 1/4 cup per 15 gallonsCDC Recommended method.Add 8 drops (almost one-eighth U.S. teaspoon) of regular liquid bleach per one gallon of water to be treated.

I noticed on your blog that you had a sulfur odor from the water.This usually comes from the hot water heater.Did the bleach you used remove the odor?

I use chlorine granules (same as put in hot tubs and swimming pools). One teaspoon works for up to 100 gallons. You can add a little in each tankful without having to drain it. I find the smell is more pleasant than straight bleach (smells like a hot summer day at the swimming pool rather than a day cleaning a sick room).

Old-Biscuit wrote:That city water you use at CG is same water you should be putting in your fresh water tank and it's already chlorinated.Old-Biscuit - just an FYI our "city water" comes from wells......and it was not chlorinated, when we first moved here ......same with the campgrounds around our area, not sure if they bother with chlorination.....so we put a bit of bleach into each water fill-up we do......We owned cottages on wells and we added a UV system to one well and chlorinated system to the second well.....So is it purified? yes BUT we were an exception to the rule.....not all cottages did this at first...I agree with you when it comes to showering in non-treated water......that is why we add bleach to out tank. I still carry bottled water from home for cooking and drinking......

Disinfection of waterAnother reference source

Bleach for Stinky Water | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

jjjandrbaker
Explorer
Jun 21, 2015
As I said, in my post I already used bleach to sterilize the system. It took care of the smell. I have the hot water heater bypassed. I'm sure that the problem was my not purifying the system for the first couple of years. Now that problem is solved. I like the idea of adding a tiny bit of bleach to the water every time. Once I thought about it, I also use them fresh water to flush the toilet when I get to a site and don't want to hooked up to city water up right away. Sometimes it's raining or I arrive in the dark. Not really a problem .Thank you everybody for your input.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Jun 21, 2015
I'm not sure I would use bleach in a continuous application, especially if you, don't know precisely what the safe limit is. I believe there might be better chemicals available if you really feel the need.

Keep in mind that bleach is a strong, nasty chemical. Among other things it has a bad effect on plastic. And swimming pool bleach is at least twice the strength of regular old Clorox.

Tim
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 20, 2015
jjjandrbaker wrote:

I should also add that just about the only time I even use the fresh tank is to put water in the toilet after draining the tanks at a campground without sewer hookups. During a stay, I hook up to the city water.

If you don't use the tank, why fill it? Just take a bucket and fill it with water for your toilet.

We full-timed and traveled constantly. We got water for our tank from various sources and it was pre-filtered before it went into the tank. We used it for everything - including drinking. Since we used it from the tank all the time it never got stagnant. We didn't get sick from it either.

We did have a filter at the kitchen sink so no matter how various water tasted, our coffee was excellent. :)

....just use the bucket method.
campigloo
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015
I don't think your using it enough. If you fill it all the way and it takes months to use it, then yes, it probably will stink. Try draining it and sanitizing it with bleach. I put a couple of good glugs (careful measurement is crucial) in it then fill. Run all faucets still you smell the bleach and let it sit overnight. Drain and refill and run all the faucets until odor is gone.
If you don't want to use it a lot, just put a few gallons of water in so you will have to add fresh water often. I do this twice a year. We cook and make coffee with it. We don't usually drink it straight from the tap because of the tastes from different parts of the country. Haven't gotten sick yet.
Oldme
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015
Disinfection of water

Another reference source
Poppy___Nana
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015
Old-Biscuit wrote:
That city water you use at CG is same water you should be putting in your fresh water tank and it's already chlorinated.

Old-Biscuit - just an FYI our "city water" comes from wells......and it was not chlorinated, when we first moved here ......same with the campgrounds around our area, not sure if they bother with chlorination.....so we put a bit of bleach into each water fill-up we do......

We owned cottages on wells and we added a UV system to one well and chlorinated system to the second well.....

So is it purified? yes BUT we were an exception to the rule.....not all cottages did this at first...

I agree with you when it comes to showering in non-treated water......that is why we add bleach to out tank. I still carry bottled water from home for cooking and drinking......
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jun 20, 2015
I use chlorine granules (same as put in hot tubs and swimming pools). One teaspoon works for up to 100 gallons. You can add a little in each tankful without having to drain it. I find the smell is more pleasant than straight bleach (smells like a hot summer day at the swimming pool rather than a day cleaning a sick room).
kgragert
Explorer
Jun 20, 2015
I noticed on your blog that you had a sulfur odor from the water.
This usually comes from the hot water heater.
Did the bleach you used remove the odor?
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 20, 2015
That city water you use at CG is same water you should be putting in your fresh water tank and it's already chlorinated.

Don't use the water fro drinking/cooking...but you use it to shower and probably wash dishes.
Showering.....human skin is the largest organ and absorbs things from water.
So if it's good enough to shower in then you can drink/cook with it.

Stinky water is due to water being stagnant OR water source was untreated.

Yes you can add chlorine but it doesn't take much.
Sanitizing is accomplished with just 1/4 cup per 15 gallons

CDC Recommended method.
Add 8 drops (almost one-eighth U.S. teaspoon) of regular liquid bleach per one gallon of water to be treated.

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Bleach for Stinky Water

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