We're not full timers or anything like that. We've been trying to use the RV about once every 3-4 weeks. Curious how often those of you sterilize your fresh water tank? Every time you head out for a trip or less often? I've been doing it every time. I fill it with a bleach/water solution and then begin to empty about 20 minutes from our destination. Then I refill at the campground. It's kind of tedious so I'm wondering how long most go without sterilization?
Thanks,
Benjie
We never sterilize our tank. We ingest filtered water only: From the tap.
Then again, we typically put only chlorinated water in our tank from one city or another.
Haven't had a problem since we started full-timing in 2003.
best, paul
Disclaimer: This is not necessarily a recommended procedure, but it is what we do.
We normally disinfect the system about every six months. We add an appropriate amount of household bleach to a full tank of water, run all faucets for a few minutes, let everything sit for a few hours, then empty the fresh water tank. A hint of chlorine smell and taste linger for a couple of days.
We fill with well water at home, and refill as required on the road with water provided at campgrounds. Most of the water we use is not chlorinated. All water, except in exceptional circumstances, is filtered through a reverse osmosis system before it goes into the fresh water tank. The water goes through two fibre filters, a charcoal filter, and at least one RO filter before it gets to the fresh water tank. Any chlorine would be removed before the water reached the storage tank.
We use the coach a few weeks each year. We have been satisfied with water quality and have not experienced any hint of problems due to bad water.
RO water may be harsh on metal pipes and fittings. We do not have an Aqua-Hot system, so almost all plumbing is plastic.
Benjie,
Were I to use the coach as you do (once every 3-4 weeks), I would carry drinking water in gallon jugs that could be directly filled from CG water and not worry about sanitizing the whole water system every time.
Brett
How do you get the bleach into the fresh water tank?
Tys
Just pour the bleach into the hose or filter, then turn on shore water.
Pour bleach down the hose b4 hooking it up to the fill.
Best Regards,
Benjie
Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628
A modification that has been used for gravity water fill and adding bleach.
Water Tank Gravity Fill (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/water_tank_gravity_fill.htm)
We have a portable sediment filter that has a housing around it. I unscrew the housing, add the bleach, screw the cap back on, re-attached the water hoses and turn on the water fill valve. But if I were you I think I would do this once a year and follow Paul Smith's suggestion. Your coach should have an Everpure filter under the sink. Water from this filter is really safe to drink.
We go on two extended (at least two months or more each time) trips per year; one in the summer, one in the winter. So, I sterilize (use 1 & 3/4 cups bleach per 100 gallons water) before each trip. We just run all faucets to get the chlorine in them, then let it sit for about 24 hours and drain. Our Nacogdoches tap water is quite good and is chlorinated; I don't filter the water when filling the tank. Our drinking water and ice cubes in the coach are filtered by the Everpure filter under the sink. We've never had an issue.
If you are concerned about the water quality at an RV park, pick up a 16 oz. bottle of TastePure by Camco at the nearest Wal-Mart (in their RV section), and add 1 oz/20 gallons as you fill. At that ratio, you can't taste the chlorine, but it does the job. It is just a convenient size container of sodium hypochlorite (bleach). I carry a bottle along, but rarely feel the need to add it, depending on the smell and taste of RV park water.
Every trip is a bit overkill. Twice a year is plenty. I would clean it as you are doing once a year. Then in six months about a cup of bleach to 100 gallons and not drain it. Just pour it in the water hose before attaching. As Brett says. Carry a a gallon or so of drinking water. Most campgrounds have good water, so unless you are using water from the onboard tank to drink, not a problem. If you are turning over the water in the on board tank often, nothing to worry about. MDW won't drink tap water so we have a RO system for drinking water. Even the Border Collies get "special water". On the road. RO water purchased for the trip.
It is difficult to recommend a single schedule for water tank purification.
Variables include:
Full time vs occasional use.
Quick turnover of water in tank (couple of days) vs letting tank water sit and always using shore water.
Fill with well or chlorinated water
Temperature
The less frequent the water is turned over,the higher the temperature, the less chlorine content in the water, the more prone to growth of microorganisms.