Sanitizing your water system
Ever been at a campground where the water was brown? Had a boil water notice issued while you were there? Ever taken a pipe from your water system and felt the inside of it? At least once a year or if any of the above things have happened to you, you need to sanitize your water system, both city water and fresh water tank systems. It is really not as hard as it sounds. In this blog I will discuss the city water side and in Part 2 I will go over sanitizing the fresh water tank and pump system.
When RV’ers sanitize their city water system (if they remember) most forget the supply hose. The easiest way to sanitize the hose is to add about 12 ounces of bleach (use the store brand) to a gallon of water. Drain the hose completely and refill (using a funnel with the other end of the hose at the same height as the end you are filling) with the bleach/water mixture. Once you have the mixture in the hose screw the 2 ends together and let sit for at least an hour. Contact time with the bleach is what kills bacteria. After the hour is up connect the hose to the camper and the other end to a hose bib. Try not to lose the bleach/water solution in the hose. Turn water on. In your camper turn on one faucet (kitchen, bathroom, shower and toilet) at a time until you can smell the bleach, then shut off the faucet. If you have an exterior shower don’t forget it also. Let the solution sit in the pipes for at least an hour, then run each faucet for at least 5 minutes to flush bleach. If you have an in-line water filter you will need to change the filter. If you have a filter that uses a drop in cartridge remove the filter element before you add the bleach/water solution and after you have flushed the system add a new cartridge. A side benefit to this would be reducing or eliminating the gray water tank smell. Where I live we have a water shortage so when the gray water tank fills I drain onto my lawn. Please follow the rules in your particular area. More next week….
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Just a follow up.
The reason to use store brand (as in cheap) bleach is you want no scents or perfumes in it……just the chlorine.
Make sure you are wearing clothing you don’t mind getting bleach all over. Been there, done that.
Good comments. Some “Brand Names” add perfumes and thickening agents which will not contribute to the sanitizing effect at all and they cast 3 times as much. What you don’t like the tie dyed look on blue jeans?
If you have an under sink filter, remove the filter and replace it with a short length of water hose. Procede with sanitizing. When complete, remove water hose and re-install the filter.