keeping the fresh water tank sanitary over the winter

[Gene_M]

Hi all!
What will keep the bad stuff from growing in the fresh water tank over the winter, some clorox, some antifreeze?

I know I couldn't get all the water out because of where the tank outlets are so I am interested in putting something in there that will keep it sanitized.

Thanks.

[phillyg]

Using a commercially available sanitizer or bleach in the spring is all you need do. If your tank always holds some water, drive around a few miles to agitate the water and treatment before you drain and refill. If you still smell the treatment, drain and refill again before using it.

[Gene_M]

Thanks Red!

[RedRocket204]

Gene_M wrote:
I want to get to the point where I can trust the fresh water from the tank as this was a used MH.

Probably nothing to worry about but I know where you are coming from. Eventually your rig will feel like it is yours and not something someone else had.

Just take a deep breath, relax and enjoy your time with it.

[Gene_M]

looks like we'll sanitize in the spring, mid season and then before storage. I want to get to the point where I can trust the fresh water from the tank as this was a used MH.

I am truly grateful for all the input! 🙂

[Gene_M]

All good points and I like the vodka idea, a shot for me, a shot for my baby and a shot for the road ... literally.

[BossCamper]

never mind

[gbopp]

RamRider wrote:
I have 40 years of experience as a Water Quality Research leader at a major University.

1) The safe recommendation is a chlorine treatment followed by a good system flush to eliminate bacteria such as e-coli,

2) I would worry more about bacteria contamination during warm months especially if you are filling tanks with water from non treated sources (well water or springs)

3) Draining and flushing with chlorine treated city water should be sufficient prior to trips when your unit has not been sitting for long periods of time.

4) If you ever have an algae contamination be very concerned about contamination. There should never be any algae unless you are using contaminated sources of water.

We use our unit every month except January so my main line of defense is flushing with city water except during the summer when I like to chlorinate the tank once or twice to be safe. Reality is if you do not contaminate your system and use treated water there should never be an issue with e-coli.

Be safe do not be sorry.

Finally, I have conducted research studies in rivers subject to agricultural and wildlife contaminated runoff, finding high levels of e-coli contamination and where we find it (e-coli) is unpredictable.

Wow! Thanks for the expert opinion. Good to know. :C

[AmericalVette]

I've often wondered about this, but I've never used my fresh water tank for drinking, or cooking for that matter. In another lifetime I used to fill my canteen out of a "water-buffalo" or a Lister bag, both of which had to be filthy, but water quality was way down on the list when the top priority was worrying about VC.

A few years ago I installed a water distiller in my home which is what I drink. I always carry a good supply with me on my RV trips for the same reason.

[rbpru]

We drain the fresh water tank and the TT sits with what is left in it till the spring outing. Then I add the classic 1/4 cup of bleach to 15 gallons. I use the bleach/water mixture to flush the anti-freeze from the lines.

After a day or so I drain the fresh water tank and fill it with fresh water and run that though the lines. This usually gets rid of the chlorine and anti-freeze odor. None of this is particularly hard to do.

However, as a kid growing up in the city I find the chlorine odor reminiscent of my childhood.

As an adult living it the country I am told I should chlorinate my well also. I have it on my to-do someday list.

[RamRider]

I have 40 years of experience as a Water Quality Research leader at a major University.

1) The safe recommendation is a chlorine treatment followed by a good system flush to eliminate bacteria such as e-coli,

2) I would worry more about bacteria contamination during warm months especially if you are filling tanks with water from non treated sources (well water or springs)

3) Draining and flushing with chlorine treated city water should be sufficient prior to trips when your unit has not been sitting for long periods of time.

4) If you ever have an algae contamination be very concerned about contamination. There should never be any algae unless you are using contaminated sources of water.

We use our unit every month except January so my main line of defense is flushing with city water except during the summer when I like to chlorinate the tank once or twice to be safe. Reality is if you do not contaminate your system and use treated water there should never be an issue with e-coli.

Be safe do not be sorry.

Finally, I have conducted research studies in rivers subject to agricultural and wildlife contaminated runoff, finding high levels of e-coli contamination and where we find it (e-coli) is unpredictable.

[Boon_Docker]

bid_time wrote:

copeland343 wrote:
Think about this. When was the last time you sanitized you water lines and water heater tank at your house? Not saying you don't need to sanitize,just that it might be overdone a little. If you ever seen the stuff that comes out of a fire hydrant you might not drink or bath in it. What might grow in you tank is nothing compared to what is in your house water system. Yes, you need to clean your tank and lines when you first get your RV, after that your RV system is a lot cleaner than a lot of city water systems.

You are wrong in so many ways that it would take 3 pages to explain it all to you so you could understand it. Just suffice it to say that what you see coming out of a fire hydrant is bacteria free. And by the very nature it is a fire hydrant (with an opening 50 times bigger than the one for your house), it is used to flush the rust out of the main so it doesn't get in your house. the growing conditions necessary to grow bacteria, aren't present in an operating water main; the same can not be said for your water tank (which is open to air).

You would be ill advised to not sanitize your RV fresh water system at least at the beginning of the year, depending on your use. That would make any efforts at keeping it sanitized over the winter a moot point.

And I always thought that fire hudrants were used for fighting fires. Learn somethng new every day.

[Lynnmor]

On your last trip, open the drain on the way home. Most tanks won't drain completely when parked, but it will as the water is sloshed about while driving.

If you have a gravity fill with a vent screen, you might want to cover it to keep surface water out.

[GordonThree]

if you want a placebo, pour some high-test vodka down the gravity fill before storing for the winter.

[bid_time]

copeland343 wrote:
Think about this. When was the last time you sanitized you water lines and water heater tank at your house? Not saying you don't need to sanitize,just that it might be overdone a little. If you ever seen the stuff that comes out of a fire hydrant you might not drink or bath in it. What might grow in you tank is nothing compared to what is in your house water system. Yes, you need to clean your tank and lines when you first get your RV, after that your RV system is a lot cleaner than a lot of city water systems.

You are wrong in so many ways that it would take 3 pages to explain it all to you so you could understand it. Just suffice it to say that what you see coming out of a fire hydrant is bacteria free. And by the very nature it is a fire hydrant (with an opening 50 times bigger than the one for your house), it is used to flush the rust out of the main so it doesn't get in your house. the growing conditions necessary to grow bacteria, aren't present in an operating water main; the same can not be said for your water tank (which is open to air).

You would be ill advised to not sanitize your RV fresh water system at least at the beginning of the year, depending on your use. That would make any efforts at keeping it sanitized over the winter a moot point.