Sanitizing Waterlines

Just a thought...

Several times we have been at a campground and they had to cut off the water due to some needed repair. Once it was off all day and night. We were so glad we had just filled our onboard water tank so we could do whatever we needed to do from drinking to bathing. We always carry a full tank of water in our MH - Just in case.

Use household bleach to sanitize the lines and the tank, same as charging a well. Always drain your water tank when not in use.

“We are only planning on using the city water connection and not use the fresh water tank.”

So if you find an absolutely beautiful dry campsite...you’re outa luck! Or if you find water close to that absolutely beautiful dry campsite you’ll need to take hours to sanitize your onboard water system. Or if for some reason the RV park’s water system is shut off...you’re outa luck.

The clear pex lines are easy to spot mold if you don't sanitize. Yes I sanitize every spring just as I winterize every fall.

Westend-described it well.

If your RV is in continuous use it might not be necessary.

In thirty years of RV'ing I have never sanitized the pipes, but we always drink spring water.
I also never use the fresh water tank
After the winter when we get to our first camping place, I just flush the pink stuff.
I like traveling with a empty hot water tank, since it is that much less weight

Guy

There is a reason to periodically sanitize water plumbing in your RV. If water is allowed to sit in the pipes, pump, or water heater, there is a chance of bacteria propagating. Depending on the water source, there may also be a chance of algae growing. Adding bleach to the water system is easy and painless and a whole lot of bleach isn't necessary. Bleach's sanitation qualities are related to the time after it is mixed with water. Allow at least 12 hrs of the bleached water to sit in the system. Then rinse. You can also add in baking soda or hydrogen peroxide to eliminate bleach taste and odor during the rinse.
Good luck with your water system!

I follow the sanitation process every spring. Pour a half cup of bleach into the fresh tank with it half full of water then turn on the pump and faucets to distribute it thorough the lines. Let it sit there for an hour and flush out until the bleach smell is gone. Drain and refill the fresh tank and rinse it out too. We use city water too mostly but use bottled water for coffee and drinking really. Just our thing we do even though I would still drink the water we are hooked up to.

It is a it of a process but worth the preventive measures to keep the system clean of anything that might want to grow in it. Leave the pump on to listen for signs of any leaks. The pump will run for a second or 3 if there is a leak. Wear old clothes you won't mind ruining with white spots too.