I was searching around for water tanks and came across these guidelines
and thought I would pass it on.
Instructions for Sanitizing Potable Water Systems
To assure complete sanitation of your potable water system,
it is recommended that the following procedures be used.
This applied if it is a new system, one that has not been used
for a period of time or one that may have become contaminated.
Prepare a chlorine solution using one gallon of water and 3 cups
of Clorox or Purex household bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite solution).
With tank empty, pour chlorine solution into tank. Use one gallon
of solution for each 15 gallons of tank capacity.
Complete filling of tank with fresh water. Open each faucet and
drain cock until all air has been released and entire system is filled.
Allow to stand for three hours. - Drain and flush with potable water. (Important)
To remove excess chlorine taste or order which might remain,
prepare a solution of one quart vinegar to five gallons water and
allow this solution to agitate in tank for several days by vehicle motion.
Drain tank again and flush with potable water. (Important)
The above recommendations conform to Section 10.8 in the A119.2 code
covering electrical, plumbing and heating of a recreational vehicle. The
solution is approved and recommended by competent health officials.
I use food grade hydrogen peroxide in mine I made the mistake of using bleach one time it took for ever to get the taste out even with vinegar
I use a mild bleach solution. I never drink the water from my system so do not care what it tastes like. I keep gallon jugs in the toad, when I go to civilization I fill the jugs. Works for me. Jim
we don;t use our coach system water for drinking either, it is too easy to get it contaminated or pick up contaminated water.
much easier to have drinking water in gallon or 2 gal jugs IMHO
I have a reverse osmosis system on my coach along with a whole house filter plus the charcoal filters for filling my tank and using on public systems so I do drink my water and I have it tested about every 3 months so far no problems
We have 2 filters (1 charcoal) for filling the tank or city water then we have a separate facet for drinking and ice, that has 2 GE micro filters on it.
That sound like way to much bleach ... I put in 1 cup of bleach per 150 gal of water twice a year.
Ron