Yesterday I poured a clear glass of water from the fresh water tank.When held up to the light I could see a lot of particulate matter floating around in it.It looked much like a snow-globe but not nearly as thick.Pretty gross!So I drained the fresh water tank, refilled and treated treated bleach water.Ran the water pump to fill lines with treated water.Drained tank again.Refilled with bleach treated water and let sit overnight.Currently draining the tank.(Note: the camper is two years old - bought used three months ago by us. We've been drinking the water! First time in ten years of RV camping.)So, question. . .has this happened to anyone?What did you do to correct the problem?What were your results?

I'd say you're fixing it.Did you know that if you keep a fresh water tank completely full at all times, that won't happen ? Unless of course you take on bad water.If freezing is a problem, then that method don't work so good.In warm/hot weather, the worst thing you can do is drain the tank when not using it. And the problem comes from the 1/2" of water that doesn't get drained.During the camping season, fill the tank when you get home, instead of draining it, like most do.

Never had this problem. I would have treated as you did. I flush my tank once a year. Might check the vent screen on the fill cap mount. What color were the particles? Far as I know no one makes a locking fresh water cap so anything is possible. Happy Trails

Sounds like tanks never sanitized and cleaned. Your on the right track. We personally don't drink the tank water though.

I believe cave creek is in Az. Normal white stuff we flush from our water heater and same stuff that makes our white truck whiter after washing the truck.I might be wrong.chevman

Filter water before filling tank. $20 will get you a decent in line filter you can connect between city water and tank.

Contaminated fresh water tank. | Good Sam Community

DFord
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
Make sure you have a screen filter on the pump inlet. I use a refrigerator filter on a special drinking water filter that's rated at .05 microns. I had to look hard at the specs to find one that filtered particles that same. It claims to take out "cryptosporidium parvum" and other similar dangerous organisms. Change is at least yearly and every 6 months of you use it a lot. It also makes the water taste better.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
Magnesium and lime deposits can accumulate and flake (shed) off plastic. I deal with this all the time down here (like yesterday for example) minerals cake on metal but not on plastic. I dump in a strong mix of white vinegar - let it sit for days - drain then refill with baking soda mixture and let that sit then drain. The amount of material flushed out is an eye-opener for sure.
djousma
Explorer
Mar 22, 2016
When you were doing your bleach treatments, did you also run the bleached water through all the plumbing? If not, you should have. That's my spring routine every year. Flush the antifreeze, then bleach the tanks, and plumbing, let sit over night, drain and flush. good to go for the season.
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Mar 22, 2016
Yes, I ran the bleach treated water multiple times through the system lines.
The vinegar treatment is a good idea.
How much though (to treat a 45 gallon tank)?

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