How to sanatize fresh water tank?

[ChuckMC8]

I had to remove my fresh water tank for a project and I want to sanatize it before putting it back in. I suppose you'd use clorox.....can someone suggest amounts and proceedure? thanks!

[John Z]

Here is a procedure i came across somewhere, not sure where, but a rv type of website i believe. I hope this helps.

"Sanitize the fresh water tank and piping every three months and before a prolonged storage. Use a chlorine/fresh water rinse as follows:
   Mix 1/4-cup household liquid chlorine bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite) with one gallon of water, for each 15 gallons of tank capacity.
Close drain valves and faucets, pour chlorine solution into the freshwater tank filler spout, and fill tank with fresh water.
Pump water through all faucets individually until water flows steadily, to purge any air from the lines.
Top off water tank with fresh water and wait three hours.
Drain the entire system by opening all fresh water tank valves, faucets, and plumbing line drain valves.
Flush the system with clean fresh water. Let the water flow through the system for several minutes to flush out the chlorine solution.
After you stop flushing, close the tank valve faucets and drain valves. Fill the tank with fresh water, and the system is ready to use."

[John Z]

Here is a second method, although similar, i found in my maintenance file. This one has a second "wash cycle" using baking soda, and a "rinse cycle."

"Drain the water tank periodically and chlorinate/sanitize the system, and refill with fresh water. The best way is to take household bleach, 1/4 cup to each 15 gallons of tank capacity. Mix some in water (so you're not using straight bleach), and fill the tank. Run all the faucets (except the toilet) to get the solution in all the lines. Drive around the block to slosh it; then empty it. Next use a half cup of regular baking soda dissolved in a bucket of water. Fill the tank again and then drain it. Then fill and drain it one more time. At this point your tank should be pristine. Make sure you drain the system if your RV is to be left in cold weather. Burst pipes can cause a great deal of damage."

[FloridaCliff]

Chuck,

I agree 100% with John.

But do it a week in advance of any intended use.

The residual chlorine taste will be there otherwise, the voice of experience 

Of course, I may be more sensitive to the taste having my own well.

Cliff

[brojcol]

I personally would not drink water from the tanks.  It's just my thing.  I always used bottled water for drinking and brushing (I know, I'm a prima donna).  But it is important to keep the tanks clean because you do have to take showers, wash your hands, etc. 

But of course, I never took a trip longer than two or three days either...

Jimmy

[DrivingMissLazy]

I also carried several gallons of bottled water, not only for drinking and brushing, but also for cooking. Although any germs would probably be killed once the water is boiled in cooking, the bad taste of water in some areas will affect the taste of the food.
Richard

I personally would not drink water from the tanks.  It's just my thing.  I always used bottled water for drinking and brushing (I know, I'm a prima donna).  But it is important to keep the tanks clean because you do have to take showers, wash your hands, etc. 

But of course, I never took a trip longer than two or three days either...

Jimmy

[DavidInWilmNC]

Cliff mentions using well water... I wonder if municipal water (of good quality) with its chlorination, would last longer in the tanks when they're filled for a trip.  What do you guys do to preserve the water once it's in the tank for use on a trip?  I've heard of very small amounts of clorox, but I don't remember the specifics.  I'll probably just have a couple good filters for cooking and brushing and bottles, since they're so portable anyway.

David

[gumpy]

We're on city water, which, surprisingly is not that bad. We use a sediment filter on filling the tank, and a carbon filter on distribution. We drink it, make ice, tea and coffee, and cook with it. 150 gallons last about a week for us.

Many studies have shown that the bottled waters are not better than city water, and in many cases actually contain more contaminants.

Frankly, I can't stand the taste of bottled water.

But, the water at the KOA in Kalispell, MT is by far the best I've found in many many years.

[bobofthenorth]

When I find good water I fill the tank - when it goes empty I fill it again.  I refuse to buy bottled water although my bride does so semi-regularly.  I don't add anything to the water tank but I never put unchlorinated water in it either.

[gus]

The only thing I've ever used in my 90 gal tank is a Clorox bottle cap full of clorox poured directly into the tank, no flushing or rinsing. That seems enough to do the job. 1/4 cup to each 15 gallons is a very healthy dose, I can see why they rinse so much afterwards! The baking soda is to kill the clorox taste so why use so much to begin with? Clorox just doesn't want the liability of telling you to use less and I don't blame them but that is a lot of trouble. There is a slight clorox taste for a while but it is a lot better than the stale taste and odor.

I use both my well water and city water during trips. I can't tell much difference in which goes stale sooner, seems about the same.

After a couple of additions to the tank most of the clorox taste goes away.

When I first got the bus we used bottled water but after a while with our well water in the tank I just started  drinking it as well after the light clorox treatment.