Keeping fresh water tank bacteria-free
I'm confused about how to keep the water in the fresh water tank from picking up bacteria/viruses -- such as the Legionaire's Disease that sitting water can develop. I've seen the postings about ru...
Forum Discussion
Per the US EPA that provides recommendations for treating water, and treating water that is going to be stored in containers for use in an emergency, add 1 oz. household bleach per 200 gallons of water. For water that is going to stand for months they recommend adding 1 pint of household bleach per 1000 gallons of water.
We have a 20 gallon fresh water tank and when I am filling it for a trip I add 4 teaspoons of household bleach along with the water. This starts out a little high but gets diluted during the trip.
What most people do not know is that household bleach is already only a 5% solution and is 95% water.
I treat the fresh water as this is the easiest way to treat the water before it goes into the hot water heater's tank. It is in this tank that anaerobic bacteria can grow and create that wonderful sulfur smell when the water comes out of the faucet.
I trust the water out of my well as it gets tested. I don't trust the water at a campground, private RV park, or city water (think about Detroit or Stockton, CA when its water treatment system was privatized). It is very easy to add a few teaspoons of bleach when adding water to the tank. Giardia and similar anaerobic organisms may not prove fatal but they can definitely make a trip much less pleasant for the affected people.
Even pristine water can get contaminated and if it sits in a confined space the bacteria can grow. That is why there are so many problems on cruise ships with their numerous closed systems. And no refunds when the passengers get ill or even when they die.
We have a 20 gallon fresh water tank and when I am filling it for a trip I add 4 teaspoons of household bleach along with the water. This starts out a little high but gets diluted during the trip.
What most people do not know is that household bleach is already only a 5% solution and is 95% water.
I treat the fresh water as this is the easiest way to treat the water before it goes into the hot water heater's tank. It is in this tank that anaerobic bacteria can grow and create that wonderful sulfur smell when the water comes out of the faucet.
I trust the water out of my well as it gets tested. I don't trust the water at a campground, private RV park, or city water (think about Detroit or Stockton, CA when its water treatment system was privatized). It is very easy to add a few teaspoons of bleach when adding water to the tank. Giardia and similar anaerobic organisms may not prove fatal but they can definitely make a trip much less pleasant for the affected people.
Even pristine water can get contaminated and if it sits in a confined space the bacteria can grow. That is why there are so many problems on cruise ships with their numerous closed systems. And no refunds when the passengers get ill or even when they die.
