Keeping Water in My Freshwater Tank During Storage?

City water and no issues. I dump and reload too.

SCVJeff wrote:
My tank is always full regardless.
This is Earthquake country

After reading this New Yorker article, I may keep my tanks full from now on. Hopefully I don't fall in the ocean!!

The really big one

Most of the time, we use full hook up campgrounds so the tank only gets filled about 1/3 for using the toilet, etc while on the road. I empty my tank after every trip and that is how it sits when not in use. Only time it's filled full is when we are dry camping. Water is only used for showers / dishes / toilet. We drink bottled water while in the RV. Has worked for us many years accross many different RV's. I also empty my hot water tank after every trip as well......

the chemicals city water is treated with (chlorine and the like) will bubble off after a few days. That is why the those with fish tanks let water sit in a container before adding it to the tank with fish. More importantly it is why during an wide spread emergency when power is out for a prolonged period of time water authorities issue boil water alerts. So you are taking a chance letting the water sit in the FW tank. (The RV tanks are open to air. The opening is small but air is still moving in and out. Any time air come in it brings what ever bacteria it carries with it.)
For earthquakes cases of water are a better plan. For storms filling the FW tank before the storm is a good plan. For zombie attacks well.....

There are some other factors that enter into the question. For those in climates with freezing temperature, the fresh tank has to be drained completely to avoid cracks.

Those that have access to treated city or water district normally have chlorine added that will kill any bacteria.

Our fresh water tank is not bolted down - rests in a frame under the dinette seat. So, I loosen the drain valve and when the water stops running, I lift the opposite end of the tank to drain every last drop from the tank.

The more air in the tank, the more and faster bacteria can grow.
In summertime especially, keep the FWT as full as possible at all times.
The problem w/ draining it before storage, it is near impossible to drain it all out. And in warm/hot weather, nothing can be worse than a gallon or 2 of water left in a big tank. It will turn green very quickly, unless it is heavily chlorinated.

SCVJeff wrote:
My tank is always full regardless. This is Earthquake country

Makes sense to me.

We drain at the end of every trip because the water we'd bring home would be questionable, and the water at home is well water. It's best to load fresh, then leave.

Johno02 wrote:
fill with city water. get an empty plastic bottle and fill it at the same time. place capped bottle on counter inside rv. leave it there till you return. is water in bottle is OK, then tank is OK. drain and refill before you leave to fill with fresh treated water. use just as you would tap water at home.

In this case make sure and put an open vent to the "caped" plastic bottle of water , after all the fresh water tank has open vent ;)

been there, done that, only one minor issue.

after sitting in the tank for 3 weeks in the summer, the water gets pretty warm.Not an issue if you use it for washing etc. But we also drink from the fresh water tank. GASP, WE ARE STILL ALIVE!!! Heaven forbid and forgive us for our indescretions!!

So usually I just drain when we get home and fill with cold water before we leave.

fill with city water. get an empty plastic bottle and fill it at the same time. place capped bottle on counter inside rv. leave it there till you return. is water in bottle is OK, then tank is OK. drain and refill before you leave to fill with fresh treated water. use just as you would tap water at home.