Fresh water tank sanitation

Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic

   Again, thank you StephenH and also to you mjlrpod for your informative replies.  I must admit I have one most inquiry. This is regarding the bypass valves to the hot water heater.  On the stopcocks I have used at work, the end of the turn handle points to the OFF direction.  Is it the same for the bypass valves to the hot water heater?

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Linward Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Feb 2020 Location: Oregon Coast Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Post Options Post Reply Quote Linward Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Fresh water tank sanitation Posted: 20 Feb 2022 at 6:09pm
	Again, thank you StephenH and also to you mjlrpod for your informative replies. I must admit I have one most inquiry. This is regarding the bypass valves to the hot water heater. On the stopcocks I have used at work, the end of the turn handle points to the OFF direction. Is it the same for the bypass valves to the hot water heater?
	It's all about choices.

mjlrpod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Sep 2016 Location: Massachusetts Online Status: Offline Posts: 1214	Post Options Post Reply Quote mjlrpod Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Feb 2022 at 3:25pm
	I also don't use the f/w tank water very often, but I always have ten or more gallons on hand. Bathroom breaks while traveling, etc.. I would definitely agree that you want to sanitize the f/w system. I also put a monthly water purification treatment in each month.
	2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289	Post Options Post Reply Quote StephenH Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Feb 2022 at 3:13pm
	You got the first steps (fill part-way, add bleach, fill, pump, through the lines) just fine. After pumping through, top off the tank and let it sit for at least 8 hours. Since this will be a much higher concentration of chlorine than you would want to drink, please do empty and fill with fresh water. Flush that through the lines to purge the excess chlorine. Then you can drain and fill, even if only a few gallons, for regular use. I have dissolved some baking soda in water and used it in the tank when purging the chlorine to help eliminate the chlorine taste. However, if you have no intention of drinking that water, it can be used for flushing and likely, even showers. However, you can purge the lines when you get to your destination and connect up to the park water supply and leave the chlorinated water in the tank to help reduce the possibility of algae growth.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Linward Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Feb 2020 Location: Oregon Coast Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Post Options Post Reply Quote Linward Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Feb 2022 at 3:02pm
	Thank you StephenH for your reply. Your idea of keeping a few gallons in the tank is brilliant; I would not have thought of that. So, as I understand the sanitation process; I just fill the water tank 1/3 full, add 1/2 cup of bleach and then fill the tank the rest of the way. Next I turn on the water pump and run the bleach water through the lines including the toilet I assume. Should I leave the bleach water in the tank and lines for a period of time before dumping it? Also, should I repeat the flush with fresh water afterwards or allow it to remain in the lines? Appreciate your help.
	It's all about choices.

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289	Post Options Post Reply Quote StephenH Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Feb 2022 at 12:44pm
	In a word, yes. Even though you have not used it, you may wish to use it and the water system for external and the tank is not entirely separate. Sanitizing also sanitizes the water lines, making sure nothing nasty is growing in there that could make you sick. It is a good idea to sanitize the water system. It is also a good idea to have at least a few gallons in the tank for emergency stops, such as when you really need to get to a rest area and there are none available for the next 60 miles or more.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Linward Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Feb 2020 Location: Oregon Coast Online Status: Offline Posts: 15	Post Options Post Reply Quote Linward Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Feb 2022 at 12:06pm
	I have never used our fresh water holding tank on our r-pod 196; we have always been in parks that had an external water source. My question is should we still bleach sanitize the holding tank and lines when we de-winterize the trailer this spring?
	It's all about choices.