Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question (Read 822 times) previous topic - next topic

Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

I have read multiple times about chlorinated your water supply. Last year I did the vinegar trick to remove sediment in my lines, and the worst happened. There was so much sediment( I can only presume the PO had never cleaned the lines) that it completely clogged my Aqua hot. Long story short 8000.00cdn dollars to replace the coils on the Aqua hot. The water system now runs perfectly. NOW my thoughts are to chlorinate the water for sanitary reasons from time to time but I am terrified the chlorine will do the same thing as the vinegar.....remove sediment resulting in clogging my system again. Is this correct? Is this what the chlorine will do or will it NOT remove sediment at all. I have to be sure as for the dollar value I can not afford to have the same thing happen again.
Your expert advise would be appreciated!!
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

Reply #1 –
Chlorinating your water should only be used to remove contamination and can be added to your fresh tank. It should not be run through your water heater or Aqua hot unless it is at room temperature. 12-24 hours or so and then a flush with fresh water should be all you need. I haven't heard of using something like bleach to get rid of sediment or calcification.
1999 U320 WTFE #5586
2014 Subaru Forester 6sp
4000 watts of solar
650 aH @ 24v

Re: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

Reply #2 –
Use Hydrogen Peroxide or Ozone instead of chlorine in the water. Europe does this with Ozone everywhere and there is no taste of any kind as the O3 quickly with water and does not filter out on the way into the tank from the campsite.

Chlorine does last a long time and is good in a water main if contaminants are encountered a distance away or at the faucet.  Hydrogen Peroxide quickly kills a bugs in the water but is gone in a very short time.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

Reply #3 –
Using chlorine to sanitize your system should be a regular part of your maintenance...it will not remove sediment.

Best bet is to Google instructions - but you basically add a quarter cup of bleach per 15 gallons of tank capacity, run the tank water thru your system, let it sit overnight and then flush...

I like to do this twice a year but my coach sits a lot...I add a tablespoon to my full fresh tank if it will be sitting as well...

We have well water at home so it's introduced w no chlorine at fill up.

Hope this helps...

*** On edit: I'm curious about the hydrogen peroxide mentioned above and will be researching this as well.
2000 Foretravel GV320 4010 #5717
"SuperDutyFiver" on most other boards

*** East coast based - literally "all over the east coast!"

Re: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

Reply #4 –
35% Hydrogen Peroxide that's available at any hydroponic grow stores is used to clean and disinfect everything from milk to dairy products and water sources. It can be dumped down a well to kill off bacteria. Dump a gallon or 35% in and put a hose down the well and recirculate. Compared to water at H2O, Hydrogen Peroxide is H2O2 and when introduced into water, it quickly loses one of the Oxygen atoms and becomes H2O or plain water. 3% drug store H2O2 is used to sanitize any kind of wound or scratch. The 3 percent is too weak to treat a RV water tanks so the higher percentage is used. 3% is also used to treat toe or nail fungus.

Others may use Ozone generators to kill off bugs in water tanks. I used an Ozone generator in the car to get rid of any unpleasant smell, especially if purchasing the car from a smoker. An Ozone generator for a car or RV is only about $45 delivered. Also made for water.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

Reply #5 –
Only thing we sanitize the domestic water system with is potassium permanganate.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

Reply #6 –
Walmart has a product just for this. I have had great success with it. I can't remember the name but it's the only thing they have for this in my city. Comes in a jug
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

Reply #7 –
I put 1-2 ounces bleach every fill .
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

Reply #8 –
We join Frank & Daisy with adding unscented laundry bleach via gravity feed water fill, 1-oz per 50 gallons of freshwater fill every week. We dilute it in a small container, then pour it in. Gravity feed makes it easier, and one of the big reasons for gravity feed. For 20 years we drink the water in our freshwater tank.

BTW, fill freshwater tank via gravity fill, eliminates all fill solenoid and under sink fill issues including slow fill.

Re: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

Reply #9 –
Nothing
50 years of rvs- never a problem

Re: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

Reply #10 –
If you only use treated "city" water, it comes with chlorine already in it.
And, if that "sniffer" between your eyes still works you can smell the chlorine.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

Reply #11 –
For us, it's campground water w/o chlorine. Our big filter at in the wet bay and the filter at the sink eliminates any chlorine smell or taste that we might pickup elsewhere. Nasty little bugger to change but it works well. At home, we are on a well so we've never smelled chlorine here on in the coach shower.

Cartridge elements are not all the same. For those who may be worried about the water at places like Playa Bonita RV Park or Flint, MI, there are a couple of cartridges here that will do the job. 10 Water Filter Cartridge Types (Explained by an Expert)

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Chlorine in the fresh water tank question

Reply #12 –
 I fill my  nose mounted tank thru the vent , adding 100CC of bleach  per tank .  If I dont use the tank over the weekend. I top it off and add just enough for the sniff test.  Works fine. Nobody died yet.