Sterilizing water system

Several times a year I put 1/4 cup of bleach in the tank just like Bobbo's link suggests. Fill, run all taps, drain, fill, run all taps ( make sure you run enough water through your HW tank to flush it ), fill and away we go. Never had any problems. Any bleach smell seems to go away pretty quick.

I started this thread:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27599829/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm

specifically to help new folks who want to disinfect (not sterilize) their water systems. I do this every spring, then drink the water all season long. Personally, I don't think using that much water to disinfect your tanks is wasteful, it is healthful.

Allworth wrote:
When an RV sits unused, even with the tanks and lines drained, small amounts of water remain trapped in low spots both in the lines and on the floor of the tank. (RV tanks are not perfectly flat in the belly of the beast) This water becomes the perfect medium for formation of fungus and mold and the bacteria which feed on them. Either of these will make you sick. Just because you have gone for years without a bad result doesn't make you safe. Sooner or later it will get you. Even if you just shower or wash hands with it.

Sanitize the system. 50 or 100 gallons of water is not wasted if flushing it out prevents one case of intestinal illness. Run it on the flowers or the grass. The amount of chlorine in it won't hurt anything (including your skin).

My degree in Civil/Sanitary Engineering is from the University of Florida. My Professional Engineering experience is 37 years of Public Works management.


Listen to the man when he tells you to sanitize the system!

(Yes, I have experienced illness probably caused by working in and around water and sewer treatment plants. It is not fun!)

Fresh water tanks do not have the nutrients needed for mold or fungus to grow and bacteria don't "feed" on either. Most likely your illness was some sort of fecal contamination from sewage, not fresh water. Personal choice is wonderful though!

Allworth wrote:
When an RV sits unused, even with the tanks and lines drained, small amounts of water remain trapped in low spots both in the lines and on the floor of the tank. (RV tanks are not perfectly flat in the belly of the beast) This water becomes the perfect medium for formation of fungus and mold and the bacteria which feed on them. Either of these will make you sick. Just because you have gone for years without a bad result doesn't make you safe. Sooner or later it will get you. Even if you just shower or wash hands with it.

Sanitize the system. 50 or 100 gallons of water is not wasted if flushing it out prevents one case of intestinal illness. Run it on the flowers or the grass. The amount of chlorine in it won't hurt anything (including your skin).

My degree in Civil/Sanitary Engineering is from the University of Florida. My Professional Engineering experience is 37 years of Public Works management.

Listen to the man when he tells you to sanitize the system!

(Yes, I have experienced illness probably caused by working in and around water and sewer treatment plants. It is not fun!)

Good advice from a professional who knows!

On the other hand, and there is always the other hand, I've been boating and/or RVing for over 50 years and just flushed the tanks with fresh water from a municipal water source before filling. I kept the tanks full during the warmer weather, and drain in the freezing weather. I have chlorine (and "shock") that I use in our pool, but never have bothered to use it in the water holding tanks. (The shock has a very short life and is designed to kill off bacteria and then dissipate quickly.) We take bottled water to keep in our frig to drink and another gallon to make coffee. We've never had a problem, but maybe it is just luck.

I suppose if I was paranoid I'd buy a one lb package of shock from a pool supply business and use a half teaspoon every few weeks, or a day before I was going to use the RV.

Since the tank is not exposed to light, bacteria should have a hard time growing. Think of how the ancients used cisterns, and they didn't have chlorine. But, Allworth has a point. Why take the chance. It's up to you.

When an RV sits unused, even with the tanks and lines drained, small amounts of water remain trapped in low spots both in the lines and on the floor of the tank. (RV tanks are not perfectly flat in the belly of the beast) This water becomes the perfect medium for formation of fungus and mold and the bacteria which feed on them. Either of these will make you sick. Just because you have gone for years without a bad result doesn't make you safe. Sooner or later it will get you. Even if you just shower or wash hands with it.

Sanitize the system. 50 or 100 gallons of water is not wasted if flushing it out prevents one case of intestinal illness. Run it on the flowers or the grass. The amount of chlorine in it won't hurt anything (including your skin).

My degree in Civil/Sanitary Engineering is from the University of Florida. My Professional Engineering experience is 37 years of Public Works management.

Listen to the man when he tells you to sanitize the system!

(Yes, I have experienced illness probably caused by working in and around water and sewer treatment plants. It is not fun!)

For those that don't sterilize, you will only get sick once from bad water, it's just not worth the risk.:h If cost is an issue just take a potable water jug filled with fresh tap water but still sterilize your pipes at the beginning of each season or if the trailer has sat for some time.

jfkmk wrote:
We sanitize twice a year. Water is incredibly cheap compared to everything else associated with camping. Bottled water is very expensive and not nearly as regulated as good old tap water.

And the truth is...A good share of that bottled water is just"good old tap water"
There are areas of the country where the tap water just plain tastes bad,when visit those areas,we do buy bottled water.

Water from the city water supply has clorine added to it before it gets to you.

We sanitize twice a year. Water is incredibly cheap compared to everything else associated with camping. Bottled water is very expensive and not nearly as regulated as good old tap water.

I sterilize the rig every year - I drain the water so it waters the plants/grass. Tap water is properly chlorinated and should keep your water system clean -- but chlorine is volatile and doesn't last forever (ask any pool or hot tub owner) - so my belief is that the less you use you rig the greater the need to sanitize it.

Add enough chlorine for 10 gallons, add 10 gallons of water to the tank, then run it into your plumbing. Let it sit, drain the tank, flush the plumbing briefly with the city water connection. I have never "rinsed" after sanitizing.