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The RVer's Open Forum / GENERAL RV DISCUSSIONS / Fresh water tank cleaning

Bud, Elk Grove, CA User ID: 0234554

Aug 3rd 12:09 AM Have had about a third of a tank of water in the fresh water tank for over a year. It's a 100 gal. tank. We are going on a trip where we might have to use from this tank. What do we need to do to make it safe? Chlorine? If so, how much? I know the tank needs to be drained and fresh put in but should I put chlorine in and drive around to mix it, let it set then drain, or what?

Mike Administrator

Aug 3rd 11:03 AM Bud, Unless your fresh water holding tank has been contaminated by a 'bad' water source, simply draining and refilling the tank will be fine. If, on the other hand, your fresh water holding and delivery system is contaminated, here's what you'll want to do to protect yourself and your family. (This is from my old RVChem FAQ page.) Mike ******************************** How can I safely clean and disinfect my fresh water holding tank? The following is provided courtesy of Everpure, Inc. from their booklet "What Every RV Owner Should Know About Water". HOW CAN SLIME, ALGAE, OILY TASTES, ODORS, ETC. BE REMOVED FROM A USED WATER SYSTEM? First, the system must be cleaned to get rid of clinging materials and sediment. To remove clinging oils, films and slime, the entire water system should be flushed using 4 teaspoons of household detergent for every 10 gallons of water. The soapy water should be run at full force through all of the outlets in the vehicle. This means opening the taps in the shower, the lavatory and the sinks. The water tank is then refilled with clear water and the entire system rinsed by running the clear water through all outlets. Merely filling and draining the water tank alone will not do a through job. (NOTE: Be sure to remove any faucet aerators and the shower head during the cleaning procedure. They may be reinstalled before disinfecting if desired.) After the system is relatively clean, it can be disinfected. Six ounces (2/3 of a cup) of liquid chlorine bleach (Clorox, Purex, etc.) should be added for each 10 gallons of water the tank will hold. This makes a very strong (200 parts per million) disinfectant solution as suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. By half filling the tank, then adding the bleach and finally filling the tank to the top, a thorough mixture of chlorine and water is assured. Every water outlet in the vehicle should be individually opened to allow the chlorine solution to run through it until the chlorine smell is noticeable. This procedure is repeated at one hour intervals until the chlorine smell is immediately noticeable. For badly contaminated water systems this procedure may have to be repeated many times, until the smell of the protective chlorine is evident whenever the water is running. Next, the water tank is filled with fresh water and the entire system and all the faucets flushed thoroughly until the chlorine smell is gone.