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Topic: Sanitizing the Fresh Water Tank (Read 224 times) previous topic - next topic
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Sanitizing the Fresh Water Tank
The LD manual mentions a procedure for sanitizing the FW tank. Is this something that should be done on a regular basis or only if the water starts to taste bad? How often have you done your tank?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Sanitizing the Fresh Water Tank
Reply #1 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
The LD manual mentions a procedure for sanitizing the FW tank. Is this something that should be done on a regular basis or only if the water starts to taste bad? How often have you done your tank?
I think I've done it twice in 19 years. However, I always keep fresh water in the tank and don't drink or cook from it. 

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Sanitizing the Fresh Water Tank
Reply #2 –
Hi Greg;  I keep the tank full, and dump/refill every two months as part of my 'escape pod/earthquake preparedness plan.  My city water is chlorinated.  I sanitized the tank once in the last 21 years. I do drink, prepare food, and bathe in it.  If I refill on the road, depending on where the water comes from, I may add a very small quantity of Chlorine dioxide powder.  (I'm sure my original LD manual is somewhere in the house, but I haven't seen it for 20+ years....)   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Sanitizing the Fresh Water Tank
Reply #4 –
Greg,
Every LD owner will have different ways of sanitizing the water tank that meets with their climate, storage, and frequency of usage concerns. Yes, it is very important to have a microbial clean fresh water system and not addressing this issue not good for one's health when traveling.
We live in a warmer climate in Florida and our LD is stored inside when not in use. Winterizing is not an issue for us. We do keep basic clothing, food, and other supplies in the coach for short area trips. Because of this I do keep the fresh water tank somewhat full. Maybe twice a year and certainly before an extended trip (like now) I will sanitize the fresh water system. To do this I will pour (unmeasured) maybe 2-cups of regular Clorox in the fresh tank and fill it with water. ALL fresh water I put in the LD is run through a canister carbon/particle filter (see photo) which prevents an accumulation in the tank of fine sand and other particles sometimes found in some water sources on the road. I always drain my drinking water hoses after each use. I then run the Clorox water through the coach plumbing including the water heater tank. I then let it sit overnight and very throughly flush the entire freshwater system (including the water heater tank) the next day. I then fill the fresh water tank to be ready for the next trip. Yes we do use the fresh water system for all our drinking & cooking needs. We do not hook the coach to campground water systems but only refill the fresh tank when necessary. The water pump is turned off when we are away from the LD. We have water leak detector sensors on the floor by the water pump and under the kitchen sink by the water heater. (see photos)
Another use for the LD is on occasion we have several overnight guest in our two bedroom home. We can park the LD in the house driveway (see photo & where there are two 50-amp RV plugs) as an additional living space for guest.  If for any other reason we had to leave on short notice, the coach is ready.   
2010 RB "Monty"  & currently: 2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23'
1982 Dolphin/Toyota 22'
Re: Sanitizing the Fresh Water Tank
Reply #5 –

Greg,

Our RB sits in our driveway and through daily visits to the coach the water in the tank will generally be exhausted within two months. I fill the fresh tank using the two stage filter.

A couple of years ago I completely sanitized the tank using a two stage sanitation kit I purchased at West Marine. Since then I just use the water as previously mentioned.

I keep a water test kit in the rig which I’ve used once to insure purity and the presence of coliform and other such nasties. Amazon.com: Coliform Bacteria Test Kit for Drinking Water - Easy to Use... After my standard procedures over the years, the test came up negative.

Between refills and prior to trips, I drain the tank and refill with fresh filtered water. We cook, drink and clean with our fresh tank water. Probably better quality than the original Long Beach municipal water supply.

No worries and no need to use bottled water on our journeys. Saves space and weight.

Hope this helps.

Kent

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Sanitizing the Fresh Water Tank
Reply #6 –
One of the advantages of living full time in my LD is that I always am using water so fresh water is added all the time.
I don't drink it, but will cook with it.
In 14 years I've never had an issue.
Jota
96 23.5 FL