Non-potable water in fresh water tank

[Kanga99]

Newbies can be so dumb. I know cuz I am one!

I accidentally ran some non-potable water into my fresh water tank (not well marked spigot at a state park). So, the wife who is a former nurse and took way to many microbiology classes is questioning the best cleanup method.
Here is what I have done.

1) drained tank and low point drains
2) removed and discarded water filter
3) ran a tank of water through
3) sanitized system like in the spring but with a double dose of bleach including hot water tank and all faucets.
4) sanitized again with regular dose of bleach including hot water tank and all faucets.


Am I good?

Short of running boiling water which I am sure would not have a good ending, is there anything else anyone would recommend?

Oh and this one goes on the list of "never doing that again!!!"

[Flybob]

I would say you should be good unless there were some very bad chemicals in the water you accidentally added.

[Oakman]

You will be fine. Chances are the water, though non-potable, wasn't all that bad to begin with.

[Blackhat6mike]

Most water spigots marked non-potable water are from shallow wells not "certified" for consumption. Although the water is probably OK, it just may not be. I'd leave it alone except for flushing.

[rana]

X3 or is it 4 now? Your more than fine. You didn't say how long you let your bleach solution rest in your tank and water lines though. The double dose wasn't necessary, but it does need a good 4 hours or better to do it's job or you'll still send everyone to the ER.


JOKE-JOKE-JOKE!!

4 hours or more is good for a yearly thing, but like they said.. the water was probably fine to begin with but even then any microbials wouldn't have had enough time to be established so the double fill and flush with bleach is more than sufficient.

[Kanga99]

Thanks for all the replies.

I let it stand about 24 hours for the first flush (till after work on Monday). The second is in there now and will be for another 24 hours. Then I need to run a whole lot of water through it. May try some of that freshener/deodorizer I have seen.

[youroo]

Did you run bleach threw the supply hose and regulator also? Youroo!!

[hotzfamily]

I would say you're more than good.

[hankpac]

I never drink water from my internal fresh water storage tank.
This is just my personal preference. We sanitize, like anyone else, but only use it for washing, flushing, and doing dishes. Dishes get one teapot full of boiling water to final rinse.
I don't drink from the tap at home either.
I obtain drinking water in either 16 oz bottles by the case or in 1 gallon bottles, in 6 packs.
We fill our tank at elk camp from a spring, and use sanitizer (which is merely bleach), but still don't drink it.
Just a personal preference, but we also have NEVER had gastrointestinal issues due to water. Chili maybe, but not the water.
Neither boiling or bleach will kill guardia, by the way, however, the issue in shallow wells or non-potable water is E coli, anyway, and that is handled quite well with bleach and/or boiling.

[NeilM108]

You'll be just fine.

[DickiedooFlagman]

Consider taking a water sample to a lab. One that does your blood work should be able to do it. Or maybe a pool supply store that also tests pool water.

[mnoland30]

I worked for the Forest Service in charge of their water systems. We used well or spring water for all of our campgrounds. The regulations require us to chlorinate potable water. Standard drinking water has a residual of about 2 parts per million at your tap. Just draining and refilling probably would have been fine. People have been drinking untreated water for years with no ill effects, but chlorine guarantees good water. Chlorine takes time to work, and it doesn't work well when the water is not clear. You probably could have backwashed your filter and run some chlorinated water through it. To calm your wife, have her read the EPA guidelines. They recommend 6 drops of bleach per gallon. For my 40 gallon tank, that would be about 1/2 ounce. Water Error 404 Page | Water | US EPA merprep/emergencydisinfection.cfm
Remember that not all bleach is the same strength, and it loses strength over time.

[spudston]

I worked for a public water utility for 33 years the last 15 years of which was as an inspector. I know from experience how difficult it is to kill all of the organisms in a water supply. A portable tank in an RV is an ideal incubator for these organisms. I suggest contacting the park and to ask why the water was labeled non potable. It could be that the water hadn't been tested or had high mineral content, such as arsenic, which would be easily flushed out.

I don't drink the water from my tank either.

[SuicideSaints]

A single treatment probably was fine, a dual and ultra concentrated will take care of it. Make sure you hit the hose, connections and any regulators too. After that I wouldn't even give it a second thought.

I have made a few water mistakes myself, couple that with living in 3rd world countries for 3 years while drinking the water I am fine, but I have been told that I have an iron gut........ Dont be too hard on yourself, mistakes happen, this was an easy one.

[checkmate99]

What's guardia?

[Genealdr]

I only use the on-board water tank for flushing the toilet...not cooking, washing, drinking, or anything else except flushing. And then only when I have to.

[Grampa Jim]

With everything you did,,,,I'd drink out of your faucet. It wouldn't hurt to run the RV down the road for a couple miles making sure the entire interior got splashed and cleaned.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by checkmate99

What's guardia?

It is a parasite.

Giardia lamblia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Oakman]

I have to chuckle to myself when I read posts about not drinking from their fresh water tank even though it has been sanitized. These folks never would have made it as backpackers or tent campers.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Oakman

I have to chuckle to myself when I read posts about not drinking from their fresh water tank even though it has been sanitized. These folks never would have made it as backpackers or tent campers.

Yep Bob, I agree!

I do not usually drink our tank (or shore) water not because it is not safe, but because it may have a taste (from the chemicals that make it safe ) that I do not like.

I use our tank/shore water to brush my teeth, shower and so forth. I am enough of a coffee snob, however, to use only the finest spring water bought at Sam's club on sale

Back in the camping/backpacking days, a 'sanistraw' and a clear running creek was all you needed