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Fresh Water Sterilization

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
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: Fresh Water Sterilization

Reply #1 –
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
Quote
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?
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Fresh Water Sterilization

Reply #2 –
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.

J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Fresh Water Sterilization

Reply #3 –
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
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Fresh Water Sterilization

Reply #4 –
How do you get the bleach into the fresh water tank?

Tys


Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
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.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Fresh Water Sterilization

Reply #5 –
Quote from: acousticart –
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.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Fresh Water Sterilization

Reply #6 –
Pour bleach down the hose b4 hooking it up to the fill.

Best Regards,
Benjie
Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: Fresh Water Sterilization

Reply #7 –
Quote from: acousticart –
How do you get the bleach into the fresh water tank?
Tys


A modification that has been used for gravity water fill and adding bleach.
Water Tank Gravity Fill
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Fresh Water Sterilization

Reply #8 –
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.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Fresh Water Sterilization

Reply #9 –
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.
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: Fresh Water Sterilization

Reply #10 –
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.
Jerry Elkins
2004 Holiday Rambler Scepter
2018 Mini Cooper Clubman
Border Collies Isabelle & Baxter
Kerrville Tx.  78028
 

Re: Fresh Water Sterilization

Reply #11 –
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.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020