How long does fresh water stay fresh?

[CC-skipjack]

I haven't seen this bantered about or discussed, (couldn't find it in a search either), so here goes. I have never dry camped for more than a couple of days but anticipate doing a lot more of it. Assuming the fresh tank has been properly sanitized, how long will a tank full of fresh water remain potable, even in warm/hot temps?
I currently sanitize just in the spring but I only drink from bottled water at this point in time, so the sanitization is just to keep the water used for dishes, showers etc from getting skunky.

Do others haul along their drinking water in bottles or just drink from the fresh tank? I have no water filters in line at this time.

thanks for your input - Chuck

[Ivylog]

If it's city water (not well water) several months. In 40+ years of RVing with a water system we have never used bottled water but I will flush with some bleach once a year if the rig sits for 5-6 months and then fill with city water.

[BB_TX]

There are additives available such as this to keep the water fresh. I have never tried one so can’t comment on how well they work.

[ScottG]

We have consumed the water in our tanks for 25+ years without issue. After all, that's what the system is there for.
As for how long it keeps, I drain and refill every two weeks.
(I keep it full in case of disaster)

[midnightsadie]

x2 bottled for drinking. you just never no whats going on inside that tank. and I drain refresh after every trip.

[F-TROUP]

I drain my fresh water tank after each outing, we use bottled water for drinking and coffee, water tank for everything else.

[DrewE]

There are a lot of variables--how pure the water is to begin with, how warm the temperatures are, how many nasties are floating around in the air in the area (as the water tank obviously cannot be airtight), etc. Generally, though, I personally would not start worrying until maybe a month or so, which generally means that it's a moot point if one's staying in the RV as the water usage will ensure it gets cycled through (if imperfectly) a lot more frequently than that. For my two and a half month Alaska trip last year, I sanitized before leaving and just filled from potable water sources as needed for the rest of the time...and had no difficulties. I didn't use bottled water, just drinking and cooking with the tap water.