When is Water getting OLD/Stale

BillyW wrote:
I typically leave (city) water in for fairly long periods, up to a month or so, but I've learned the hard way that the water heater must be drained when not in use for more than about a week, or else the dreaded rotten egg smell sets in, requiring extensive cleaning.

Mine doesn't do that. I only drain the water heater for the winter. The rest of the year it stays full.

Another thing to think about.....when you store your RV and drain the tank, there is still moisture in there and quite possibly stuff can start growing depending how long it sits. When you take it out again months later and fill it up, you're not getting the freshest of water. Even if you use bleach you are not scrubbing off that black stuff...it's still on the walls. Now think of all the folks that do this procedure and don't get sick. :) Bottom line - don't worry about having pristine water. It's not going to hurt you.

You can convert well water into city water by adding about a tablespoon of bleach.

I know and understand "Water" is millions of years old...

but what lives in water, or grows in water...

my reason... I am Healthy for 63 (No Med's).. but my wife is another story.. and she gets ill easily . and she takes about 10 pills a day..

Chuck_thehammer wrote:

I am currently on a 4 month trip... and need to have water in case of supply issues. ( camp ground ) LOW water pressure...etc

Will be drinking/cooking with the water when needed...

1 think I will drain once a month.. then refill. (camp ground supplied)

Absolutely no reason to drain once a month. Use the water until 1/4 full and then refill. Your water will not get stale in that time.

As full-timers for 16 years we never drained our tank on purpose. We let it get almost empty and then refilled. We got water for various sources as we used public parks mostly. We used the water for all purposes, including drinking. We're still here. :)

gbopp wrote:

Gjac wrote:
It depends on if you have city water or well water. City water which I have has chlorine that will last a long time before it evaporates.

Do you mean chlorine prevents water from evaporating or the chlorine in the water will not evaporate?

. I mean because the FW tank is a closed system the chlorine will not evaporate quickly, it takes a long time. If you ever had a fresh water fish tank you have to leave the water out for a week before you put it in the tank if you have city water.

donn0128 wrote:
Drain it when you return. Fill it just before leaving is a good rule of thumb.

I agree. However, If I am going to a campground with water including no on site water I only put enough water in the tank for use on the road -- bathroom use or fixing lunch at a rest area. Water weights too much to carry more than you need. At a "Dry" camp with only one fill spot, I fill up when I arrive.

By the way, water does not get "old". All the water in the world is millions of years old. There is no such thing as "new" water.

I sanitize in the spring and put some water in the tank. Then add water as needed depending on where we are off to. If in a full hookup park I use their water without worry. If we are headed for our dry camping fishing trip I fill the tank at home and add well water as needed at the lake. We have never had an issue and I don't drain anything in between. No bad smell from the heater either. Everything gets drained in November when travels end.

I typically leave (city) water in for fairly long periods, up to a month or so, but I've learned the hard way that the water heater must be drained when not in use for more than about a week, or else the dreaded rotten egg smell sets in, requiring extensive cleaning.

PapaNIes60 wrote:

Gjac wrote:
It depends on if you have city water or well water. City water which I have has chlorine that will last a long time before it evaporates. In ten years the only time I drain the tank is in the winter. Some people won't drink from their tanks and only use bottled water for drinking. I use the tank for everything it was designed for including drinking. I dry camp a lot so the water never stays in the tank more than 3 weeks at a time. If you just use FHU's and let the water sit in there all summer then I would worry about it. But I'm old and still drink out of a green garden hose.

Agree!

Agree X3

And I agree with the smell test idea too.