Trying different method of fresh water tank sanitization

[Camper_Jeff___K]

Completion Video Thread:
Today, I'm going to try the hot white vinegar solution method for cleaning the water system. I usually do 1/4 cup bleach in 35 gallons and leave it sit a couple hours, then flush it out.
The vinegar method requires a couple gallons white vinegar to 35 gallons water. You then turn on your water heater and with a hose adapter if necessary, connect a hose from your kitchen sink fawcet out the door and into your water tank fill. You then turn on your hot and cold water and keep recirculating the water until the water temperature is 130 degrees F. This method is considered safe and effective. It is also supposed to help clean calcifications in the system. Not a big deal in the PNW but in other parts of the country. It's also recommended to swap out your water heater anode afterward. I will let y'all know how things work after I finish.
J&K

[specta]

Hemi Joel wrote:
I drink my RV water, so I i need it to be safe. It is so convenient just to fill a glass from the faucet, and free. I usually sanitize with bleach every 24 months or so.

Ditto.

[specta]

Just a whiff of vinegar make me barf. LOL

[Hemi_Joel]

Interesting test, looking forward to the results. I drink my RV water, so I i need it to be safe. It is so convenient just to fill a glass from the faucet, and free. I usually sanitize with bleach every 24 months or so.

[Camper_Jeff___K]

JimK-NY wrote:
First, vinegar does kill salmonella, E coli and some other bacteria but overall it is not a great disinfectant and certainly no where near as effective as chlorine bleach. Why not just use bleach since it is much more effective.

Hot water tanks can develop quite a bit of scale. Pumping some vinegar into the tank and letting it soak should help, but I would certainly not pump that residue into my fresh water tank or even through the hot water pipes and faucets. Pull the plug and let it drain out of the tank instead.

I have never had an issue removing the bleach from the water system. I drain the tank, add a partial tank of fresh water, drain again, and then fill up.
There are plenty of campers who do not sanitize their fresh water tanks. Most of them do not drink water from the tank. Even so I recommend reconsidering. Sanitizing helps to remove the pink slime (pseudomonas bacteria) that grows in water tanks. It is relatively harmless for most people but can start to clog faucets. I am also concerned about Legionela. I had a friend who was very sick from Legionnaires and that bacteria is often found in RV hot water systems and the shower head. It takes little cost, time or effort to sanitize so I cannot understand why anyone would skip this.

When I've used bleach in the past, the bleach needed several rinsings to get the bleach smell out which is fine. The vinegar may require the same. The vinegar is hands down safer. This is a test don't forget. I plan to put a filter between the faucet and the water fill port. The water system is supposed to be brought up to 130 degrees which is supposed to be the main killing component of this method. The hot water will flow through both hot and cold pipes since it flows out the faucet.

[3_tons]

2oldman wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:
30+ years of RVing and I never sanitized fresh water tank.

18 years for me.

15 years for me, basement water tank is spotless...Water tank is always filled with chlorinated city water...

3 tons

[JimK-NY]

First, vinegar does kill salmonella, E coli and some other bacteria but overall it is not a great disinfectant and certainly no where near as effective as chlorine bleach. Why not just use bleach since it is much more effective.

Hot water tanks can develop quite a bit of scale. Pumping some vinegar into the tank and letting it soak should help, but I would certainly not pump that residue into my fresh water tank or even through the hot water pipes and faucets. Pull the plug and let it drain out of the tank instead.

I have never had an issue removing the bleach from the water system. I drain the tank, add a partial tank of fresh water, drain again, and then fill up.

There are plenty of campers who do not sanitize their fresh water tanks. Most of them do not drink water from the tank. Even so I recommend reconsidering. Sanitizing helps to remove the pink slime (pseudomonas bacteria) that grows in water tanks. It is relatively harmless for most people but can start to clog faucets. I am also concerned about Legionela. I had a friend who was very sick from Legionnaires and that bacteria is often found in RV hot water systems and the shower head. It takes little cost, time or effort to sanitize so I cannot understand why anyone would skip this.

[Camper_Jeff___K]

Ed_Gee wrote:
Just for the record, the recommended sanitary standard for sanitizing the RV fresh water system is 1/4 cup bleach for every 15 gallons of water. Looks like your formula is a bit deficient in bleach.....

The solution was purposely made weak. It took a couple rinsings to get the bleach smell out. The camper has gone unused for a few months due to maintenance on the TC fridge cooling unit and other projects. Normally the TC is in use more and there is new fresh water every week or two and agitation from driving location to location. We do drink from the fresh tank and have never had an issue with the water. Starting the process shortly.

[2oldman]

Acampingwewillgo wrote:
I think I've sanitized once 20 years ago....easy not to worry when "we" don't use tank water for drinking.

Just showers, toilet and dishwashing for me.

[Acampingwewillg]

I think I've sanitized once 20 years ago....easy not to worry when "we" don't use tank water for drinking. Nowadays, we mostly have hook ups and tank is mostly empty except for enough to flush toilet.

[2oldman]

Kayteg1 wrote:
30+ years of RVing and I never sanitized fresh water tank.

18 years for me.

[Kayteg1]

30+ years of RVing and I never sanitized fresh water tank.
But quite often, when leaving campsite going home, I open the tank drain and driving motion leaves only some water residue for the storage.
On few occasions, when in CA earthquake zone I would keep some water in the tank for emergencies. That never develop bad taste thru the winter, but we had good water supply in Bay Areas.

[Ed_Gee]

Just for the record, the recommended sanitary standard for sanitizing the RV fresh water system is 1/4 cup bleach for every 15 gallons of water. Looks like your formula is a bit deficient in bleach.....

[Supercharged111]

Please do, I noticed a good amount of calcification coming out of the hot water tank when I dewinterized this year. Ended up clogging the little faucet screens.