Sanitizing fresh water tank

[Ron Franks]

How do I sanitize a fresh water tank when inlet connection has valve inside. Can't pour water into tank because of valve. Do I have to get a pump? Can I remove valve? Looking for ideas.

[5picker]

Fill your city water hose with bleach and then hook to a city water connection and push into tank. You may have to do this 2-3 times to get enough bleach in there depending on your tank size.

[jeff64]

Your post fails to identify what type RV you have. List in your profile for future.
Sound like you're thinking that the sanitizing is done through the city water connection( where valve is). Not going to happen there from my perspective. Look for potable water/ gravity fed connection, probably on other side of RV maybe. Usually has a cap on is about 2" in diameter with a tether. That's where you'd fill the tank with a hose, jug etc. and add the bleach. Hope yours has one, makes it easier

[5picker]

Originally Posted by jeff64

Your post fails to identify what type RV you have. List in your profile for future.
Sound like you're thinking that the sanitizing is done through the city water connection( where valve is). Not going to happen there from my perspective. Look for potable water/ gravity fed connection, probably on other side of RV maybe. Usually has a cap on is about 2" in diameter with a tether. That's where you'd fill the tank with a hose, jug etc. and add the bleach. Hope yours has one, makes it easier

I agree Jeff... not quite enough information but there are units that fill the fresh tank via city water and not a gravity port. They have a 'valve' (like the OP described) that you turn to direct the city water to the fresh tank for filling.

My advice was for if the OP's unit was set up this way.

[Chuckinca]

If you add bleach to the water storage tank you can use it for cleaning and sewage but you can not drink it until the bleach dissipates. If you only use the storage water for cleaning and sewage why add bleach?

.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by Ron Franks

How do I sanitize a fresh water tank when inlet connection has valve inside. Can't pour water into tank because of valve. Do I have to get a pump? Can I remove valve? Looking for ideas.

Units in my climate don't usually have a winterizing kit, but if you do, you may be able to suck bleach water in that way. Seems like I saw a simple mod for filling fresh water by sucking up from a portable water tank in to the FW tank for refilling while in dry camp. That would help.

[Broadway Joe]

Originally Posted by Chuckinca

If you add bleach to the water storage tank you can use it for cleaning and sewage but you can not drink it until the bleach dissipates. If you only use the storage water for cleaning and sewage why add bleach?

.

The benefit of sanitizing your freshwater tank and flowing to all the outlets also sanitizes your rv water piping through out the camper.

[jtownstumpjumper]

Originally Posted by Ron Franks

How do I sanitize a fresh water tank when inlet connection has valve inside. Can't pour water into tank because of valve. Do I have to get a pump? Can I remove valve? Looking for ideas.

I don't have a gravity feed inlet to my fresh water tank....so I switch the water valve handle from city water to fresh water ....I drain any water I might have out of my fresh water tank....I drain the water out of my water hose...I pour 1 cup of bleach in my water hose...I have a 60 gallon fresh water tank......I then attach the water hose to the water valve, turn on the water, and fill my fresh water tank....I turn my water pump on and open all faucets for a few seconds to fill all water lines....I let it set overnight.....I drain everything the next morning....refill everything again....drain....and then fill for use.....btw, I bypass the water heater while doing this....don't know if that's necessary or not.

[boondocking]

jtownstumpjumper, It is good to sanitize the water heater also while you are doing the rest. Just pull the anode rod or plug the next day to drain it.

[jtownstumpjumper]

Originally Posted by boondocking

jtownstumpjumper, It is good to sanitize the water heater also while you are doing the rest. Just pull the anode rod or plug the next day to drain it.

thanks for the comment....I know there's a lot of heat in that thing....didn't think much could live in there.

[skidsareforkids]

Originally Posted by Chuckinca

If you add bleach to the water storage tank you can use it for cleaning and sewage but you can not drink it until the bleach dissipates. If you only use the storage water for cleaning and sewage why add bleach?

.

Not true, bleach is very often used as a water purifier. While it will give the water a definite chlorine flavor it is safe to drink if mixed in the proper ratio with water. 1tsp per 5 gallons is a safe ratio to purify drinking water.

[boondocking]

Originally Posted by jtownstumpjumper

thanks for the comment....I know there's a lot of heat in that thing....didn't think much could live in there.

Bacteria can grow in the water heater and cause a terrible smell in the hot water.

[boondocking]

Originally Posted by skidsareforkids

Not true, bleach is very often used as a water purifier. While it will give the water a definite chlorine flavor it is safe to drink if mixed in the proper ratio with water. 1tsp per 5 gallons is a safe ratio to purify drinking water.

That is the ratio I use when filling my tank with mountain stream water.

[HerveVR]

In my owner's manual, the sanitizing procedure:

Prepare a solution of 1/4 cup (2oz) of household chlorine in 1 gallon of water; use 1 gallon of this solution per 15 gallons of water of the reservoir.

My recipe: 2oz of chlorine per 15 gal. So 3/4 cup for my 45 gals tank.

Find a way to pour it in the reservoir; mine is a gravity type.

Have a run around the block to shake all over.

Circulate the mixture by using the wate pump to allow the sanitation of all plumbing outfit including the water heater. Drain the rest of the tank.

Fill the FW tank to rinse by using the water pump; repeat as necessary to eliminate the odor of chlorine.

Happy trip !

In fact, most of the sanitation of public water systems in Noth America is done by use of chlorine solution that is close to the above recipe.

[TARVIDSON]

One thing I did not see anybody mention is to use about 1/4 cup of bleach per 15 gal of water. Start with an empty tank. I have a 50 gal tank, I bypass my water heater put 3/4 cup of bleach into my hose, hook it up and fill the tank. When the tank overflows, turn off the hose, turn on your water pump and run all the faucets, toilet etc. to pull the chlorinated water through all the pipes including the outdoor shower and the tank drains. I let it sit for a day then drain it, refill the tank with fresh water and repeat running water through all the lines. Run it until you can't smell or taste bleach which does not take long and you are ready for another season. Undo the bypass on your hot water heater and fill it so you don't burn up the element when you turn it on. I don't think I would want to pump straight bleach with a pump, it is rather corrosive. It gets diluted quickly with the hose method.

[Ron Franks]

Thanks. Filling water hose with bleach sound like best option since fresh water tank inlet has valve.