Cleaning the H2O tank

Like every issue out there. Some have done it. Some have not done it. Some have had problems with it. Some have not had problems with it. The ones who have never done it and never had problems with it say it is not an issue. The ones who have had problems with it, especially if they have also done it, claim the sky is falling.

The truth is somewhere in the middle.

I think always using chlorinated water from a city water system helps A LOT, but you can't always count on that when travelling. I think using the water tank regularly, so the water doesn't sit too long before getting a fresh infusion of chlorinated water helps A LOT.

Some people are, also, just lucky.

I am one of those never have done it guys.

rockhillmanor wrote:
yes. Public, state, federal parks are required to test yearly. Not all 'privately' owned CG's do. They may do it out of good faith but it is not a requirement.

Not true . All transient non community ( not city water) public water systems are required dy the fed. EPA to submit monthly water samples during the months in which they may serve 25 people or more. Additionally, annual nitrate/ nitrite samples are required.
Should a sample test positive for total coliform, 5 samples are required to be taken ffrom upsteam and downstream taps and from the well head, notices must be posted at every public building advising the water is unsafe to drink until the condition is corrected.
The rules are administered by our state DOH, with oversight and enforcement by rhe EPA . Fines ror failure to test and comply are prohibitive.

yes. Public, state, federal parks are required to test yearly. Not all 'privately' owned CG's do. They may do it out of good faith but it is not a requirement.

Yep. USFS campground wells are tested regularly and shocked if something shows up.
And off the topic, but if there is a public swimming beach at the campground, that water is tested for unsafe bacteria too. I have closed a few beaches, and have had potable water trucked in to USFS campgrounds that have had unsatisfactory water.

We've volunteered in public parks and they all have their water tested on a schedule. This includes national parks, state parks, forest service, Corp of Engineers, county and city parks.

rockhillmanor wrote:

BTW: Safety of well water? CG 'well' water is NOT regulated to be tested every year, they are privately owned.

I've owned several homes with well water and it is most certainly not the end all be all of being 100% bacteria free. Those of us who travel a lot hook up to hundreds of different well water in CG's.

You can not have a septic tank/field/pipes any where's near your well head in a residential home

In a CG you are 'right on top of a it all' and right alongside of the water spigot. They are open and spilled often.

Sooo for me, no I don't drink the CG water AND that is WHY 'I' disinfect the tank often!!:W

Most states regulate RV park water systems as a "Public Drinking Water System" or equivalent, and do require periodic testing. The Oregon regulations are fairly typical:

"OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF RECREATION PARKS"

Fresno Tundra Driver wrote:

Bobbo wrote:
I have seen the growth in my tank. YMMV. (It was gone after the bleach treatment.)

I'm curious, how did you see inside your tank?

Generally most life forms(bacteria included) need energy and nutrients to actively reproduce. There may be warmth but without sunlight and some type of sugar or amino acid, growth will be really limited. Your nose does a good job letting you detect excretions from bacteria( ie sulphur ). You may not like the "plastic taste" after water sits in there a while but that will not cause illness.

My tank is totally visible. It sits on the 'outside' back of my MH. The water takes on the ambient temperature, I.E. outside temps. So it gets warm creating a perfect place for bacteria to grow. And no, bacteria does not have to smell to be present. When it flourishes yes but it is still harmful before it flourishes to a level to be really dangerous and then odorous.

Just saying, don't care what other people do. The OP question was what do others do and WHY. :C

..Trust me, I know way to much about the nasty stuff that likes to grow in wet, dark places. I am curious, did your RV come with a schedule for cleaning you potable water tank? And how vigilant are you about flushing and disinfecting your water tanks. Thanks.

BTW: Safety of well water? CG 'well' water is NOT regulated to be tested every year, they are privately owned.

I've owned several homes with well water and it is most certainly not the end all be all of being 100% bacteria free. Those of us who travel a lot hook up to hundreds of different well water in CG's.

You can not have a septic tank/field/pipes any where's near your well head in a residential home

In a CG you are 'right on top of a it all' and right alongside of the water spigot. They are open and spilled often.

Sooo for me, no I don't drink the CG water AND that is WHY 'I' disinfect the tank often!!:W

We do it yearly now because I read we should; our last rv it wasn't done once.

Jim Shoe wrote:
OR -
You can do what I do. My fresh water tank is for flushing the toilet and using the shower. In other words, water that stays outside of me. For coffee, cooking and brushing my teeth, I buy gallon jugs of distilled water when I stop at Wally Worlds. Its cheap, doesn't have an "off" taste and its easy to store in the cabinet under the kitchen sink.

"Distilled Water Health Concerns"

"The World Health Organization suggests that mineral-free water may not be the healthiest water to drink. Drinking distilled water may increase urine output and cause an electrolyte imbalance. WHO also reports that evidence shows an association between demineralized water and an increase in heart disease because of the lack of calcium and magnesium."

www.livestrong.com/article/464466-why-bodybuilders-drink-distilled-water/