Treating water in tank to make sure it's safe to drink?

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by glsimms

Funnel??

You can't use a funnel on a hose fitting with a built-in check valve.


But you can add bleach to a hose and attach it to the hose fitting and run water through it.

[Jerre turner]

I thought of that but didn't know if it required water pressure to get water in.??

[CampingGator]

Make a U with the hose so the bleach does not pour out the other end before you have hooked it up. Pour the bleach in one end and then hook the hose to your water tank connector. Then you can add water to the hose through the spigot and the bleach will mix with the water in your tank.

[glsimms]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

You can't use a funnel on a hose fitting with a built-in check valve.


But you can add bleach to a hose and attach it to the hose fitting and run water through it.

O.K. Use a funnel to pour the bleach in to the hose????

[Wolverine 1945]

Would it not be easier to connect the hose to the RV first ???
Then pour the Bleach in the hose holding it above the RV connection !!!
Sounds like a 2 man job,,, or one man & a DW !!!
LOL !!!

[KyDan]

Be careful. If you spill undiluted bleach on your skin it will make you peel like a bad sunburn.
Ask me how I know.....

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Be careful. If you spill undiluted bleach on your skin it will make you peel like a bad sunburn.
Ask me how I know.....

It will do the same to asphalt !!!

[Kirk S]

I've learned new things today. Thanks to all.
I was surprised, when reading the label on a Clorox bottle, to learn that all bleach does not sanitize. Cant remember which one doesnt but the label must say it kills 99.9% germs or dont count on it otherwise.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by Netgain

I've learned new things today. Thanks to all.
I was surprised, when reading the label on a Clorox bottle, to learn that all bleach does not sanitize. Cant remember which one doesnt but the label must say it kills 99.9% germs or dont count on it otherwise.

Thanks. I learned something about Clorox today.

I'd suggest diluting the bleach with water before you pour it in the hose. A bit safer to pour and safer if it spills.

[CampingGator]

For about $20.00 you can purchase a Life Straw that will filter out the contaminants. The straw is good for about three or four years. My cousin takes these over to Haiti for the folks to use because many do not have a good water source.

Giardia and other bacteria and parasites are common in the US in streams, rivers, and such. I personally would not risk it. Get a Life Straw for everyone in your family and use that, or bring bottled water for drinking. That is what we do.

[KyDan]

Yes- all bleach is not the same today....

You want chlorine bleach.
NOT- low odor
NOT- scented
NOT - splash resistant

and as mentioned it needs to say kills 99.9% of germs

[myredracer]

Some have used food grade hydrogen peroxide. Not sure how effective it is compared to chlorine.

I cringe when I hear people say things like, nah, I've been drinking water from creeks and lakes my whole life and have always been fine. Things are worse today than decades ago when we were young. Even treated and monitored municipal water systems can be unsafe. There are so many bad things that can be in water - biological, heavy metals, chemicals, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, radioactive particles, etc. An RV holding tank can be like a travelling petri dish on wheels. Add heat and water sloshing around and you can create the ideal situation for biological matter to grow. As mentioned, chlorine won't get rid of Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Some may have various reasons for not wanting to use bottled water like perhaps wanting to live 100% off the land, but it's the safest way to go for drinking purposes. Otherwise, I would suggest filtering the water. Filtration is a rather complex field and there are many many different types with different applications , purposes, pros & cons, sizes, etc., etc... Some things won't be able to be filtered out no matter what you do tho.

Doulton makes an excellent line of ceramic filters which would be a great choice. Their IMP300 UltraCarb Sterasyl (10" housing) for example has an absolute micron rating of 0.9 and will remove 100% of giardia and cryptosporidium, heavy metals and VOCs. Should be used after a 5 micron sediment filter. Outline here: Ultracarb Imperial Ceramic Doulton Water Filter, Water Treatment System cartridge We have this cartridge in our TT for use with city water.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by myredracer

An RV holding tank can be like a travelling petri dish on wheels. Add heat and water sloshing around and you can create the ideal situation for biological matter to grow.

This is why I've decided to add an appropriate amount of the recommended chlorine bleach to my tank with every fill, regardless of source.

Water from my tank this last trip had all residual taste and odor filtered out by the time I took it from the faucet. Filter is just the OEM filter installed at the factory (I replaced with new at the beginning of the season).

I figure that if I can't drink the tank water safely how can i shower, brush teeth, or wash dishes with it. I'm now treating my tank pretty much like my city water system does with the water they deliver to my house, less the Fluoride.

[Wolverine 1945]

I am hoping the water in Bud Light is safe !!!

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Wolverine 1945

I am hoping the water in Bud Light is safe !!!

I'm sure the water is safe. It's only a problem if you drink too much. Besides the risk of falling down and the associated problems there's the medical issues that seem to come up with too much consumption of the "Ethanol".

Just about every organ in your body can suffer, or so the experts say. I've already had to have the most important organ of all repaired so I just stick to plain water now.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I'm sure the water is safe. It's only a problem if you drink too much. Besides the risk of falling down and the associated problems there's the medical issues that seem to come up with too much consumption of the "Ethanol".

Just about every organ in your body can suffer, or so the experts say. I've already had to have the most important organ of all repaired so I just stick to plain water now.

Sorry to hear that Man !!!