Water

I do not drain the hot water heater after each trip to inspect the anode.  I have been pulling travel trailers for 20 years, so I am aware how long an anode will last.  I drain the hot water heater after each trip because there is 6 gallons of water sitting in the hw tank for maybe a month between trips.  Its probably well water from my well, or from a campsite well, so it has no chlorine it.  So untreated water sitting in the hot sun with no chemicals for thirty days is a breeding ground for bacteria, which I have had three times in twenty years.  I continue to be in the water works, water treatment business even after 47 years of service.  I know contaminated water, I know bacteria and I know what it can do to people and animals. I have covered this subject several times on this forum about drinking water from the fresh water tank.  Some agree and some disagree and that is the way it should be.  I am only stating what I do, because like you say, it is my R pod and  I can do what I like with it.  I drain the hw tank because I do not want to risk contaminated water.  It takes a few minutes to pull the anode out and let it drain.  While the anode is out, I take a look at it.  Have you ever looked on the floor of your hot water tank ?  Where do you think the anode granules end up ?  How much of that does it take to plug up your faucets ?  I am not using bad water as you state.  It is normal for well water to have a little sand it once in awhile along with the anode debris.  I use a shop vac to clean up the floor of the hot water heater.  Perhaps you should take a look at yours .  I consider this routine maintenance on my trailer and preventive maintenance for the health of everyone on board the trailer. By the way, if you re not concerned about bacteria, then why in the world do you sanitize your water system once a year ?  Which is almost worthless by the way, because that is only good for your first load of water.  The second load of water you put in gets no effect from your chemical sanitizing.  But like you said, It's your R pod and you can do whatever you want.

Thanks for letting me clarify my statement.  I love the forum.  Best of Luck and Happy Trail to all

Joe

... and to StephenH, carbon filters are great at getting out nasty chemicals and some metals, but they generally don't filter bacteria.  Most filters do not have the filtering capacity to block bacteria, except the reverse osmosis type.  But bacteria are persistent little buggers who can grow on the wrong side of the reverse osmosis filter, too.  And if the tank has bad bacteria in it, you can filter 'til the cows come home and it won't stop the bacteria from growing in your tank.  It's just a 30 gal. pond of stagnant water maintained at the perfect bacteria growing temperature.  The only thing it's a little short on is stuff for the bacteria to eat.  

We all need a certain level of contact with bad bacteria to keep our immune systems strong, but too much, especially if you have a compromised immune system, will make you sick or worse.  Contaminated water has been the bane of all humanity for millennia.  It's the perfect vector for disease.  What you can't see can hurt you.

 of the posters on this forum state.  Lostagain has completely nailed it on his post above.  Now, as far as your filter goes, I consider those a one time use filter.  As long as it is on line and has fresh water passing through you are ok.  Just remember, it is not filtering bacteria.  You cannot filter out bacteria. You must treat bacteria. If it sits in the cargo bay of your rpod still wet from the last use, for any time at all, you are making your drinking water unsafe.  The remedy...DO NOT DRINK WATER FROM YOUR FRESH WATER TANK.

Again...everyone has their own opinion.  This is mine.  If yours is different, then that is good.  Discussion makes the world go round.   Thanks to everyone

Joe

I thank you for allowing me to express my opinion.....Happy Trails

Joe