Community Forums

LeftyRN · 03-26-2011, 02:33 PM

This has been a perplexing problem that we can't seem to figure out. We are camping and are hooked up to fresh water. We have been getting black water out of the kitchen sink hooked up at campground. Thought there might be a problem with pump so we replaced it. We were also getting black water when we were using water from water tank.
Since replacing pump we are still getting black water. Has anyone ever experienced this problem?

Any ideas or suggestions? This is confusing us...

Tha_Rooster · 03-26-2011, 02:42 PM

Sounds gross the only thing black and should not have is bacteria, have you sanitized your fresh water good, and change water filter if you have one sometimes they are hidden under sinks.

4Knights · 03-26-2011, 02:43 PM

Do you use a filter between the water source and the rig? If so did you flush water through it for at least a minute before you hooked it to your rig? When we bought our rig we purchased the camco filter from Walmart and I (of course not) didn't read the directions. Filled my freshwater tank with a nice looking charcoal slurry. Took about three fills and drains to get rid of it all. If this is not what you did then how long did the rig sit with water in it before you last used it? Did you sanitize the system? Could be mold/algae or dirty water from an old hose or the eater supply

Ron & Wendy 94 Pace Arrow 454

WeBeGone2 · 03-26-2011, 02:52 PM

I have a main filter that filters all water into the tank or on city water. I found that my ice cubes smelled like sewer. Pulled filter, poured 1/2 cup of bleach in filter container. Emptied water tank and filled 1/3 full and added 1 cup of bleach. I let it sit for about an hour. Ran all faucets and shower for 5 minutes. Let ice maker do two cycles. Put in new filter, drained tank and filled to 1/2. Ran water at all outlets for several minutes to clean out some bleach smell. Changed under sink filter. Smell gone.

Mike Canter · 03-26-2011, 03:13 PM

Do not drink that water yet because you have not let the bleach stay in the water long enough to make sure all bacteria is dead. You should add the bleach back into the tank and fill it to the top and let it sit for at 12 hours. Normally 4 hour sitting is good but in your case at least 12 hours. Multiply the number of gallons in your tank by .13 and that is how many ounces of bleach you need. Read more below.

doc · 03-26-2011, 03:45 PM

You sure the "black" is not charcoal from a filter that is breaking down?

deandec · 03-26-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc

You sure the "black" is not charcoal from a filter that is breaking down?

x2

ga traveler · 03-26-2011, 06:53 PM

As a tech i have found 1. charcoal filter disentergrated, giving water a black appearance. 2. water tank has growth in it. which will give foul odor and taste. 3. Hot water tank reacting with chemicals in water. To cure 1. replace filter. For 2&3 flush tank sanitize and refill with fresh water.

**NLOVNIT** · 03-26-2011, 08:53 PM

Can you give us some more info? What is the make/model/year of your coach? If it's brand new, it could be carbon coming out of a filter. Did you sanitize your system (post #5) before you started your camping trip? Is the water just black in color or does it also have a foul odor (moldy, rotting, sewer) to it?

Lori-

RV Wizard · 03-27-2011, 03:01 AM

I might add that if you do have a charcoal activated filter that it is plumbed correctly (in and out direction). We do need more info.

LeftyRN · 03-27-2011, 12:41 PM

Thank you all for the advice.

We have a 2002 Winnebago Adventurer that we purchased new. We have RV'd for over 20 years and never had a problem like this.

We did disenfect the tank but what is different this year from others is that we traveled to Florida in Dec and on our return to PA we had some really cold weather (freezing) and did not get a chance to properly get the MH to our climate controlled winter storage facility as quickly as we had planned due to tire issues. [that is a whole other issue

] We emptied all the water lines but did not disconnect the everpure water filter under the sink.

The black water does not appear to have a smell, and it does appear to be charcoal particles. Now looking at the pipes it appears that the charcoal is above the filter. So we have disconnected the filter, flushed the lines, and installed a new filter. We will keep you posted if that solves the problem.

We are now in the first week of the longest adventure we have ever planned. It is a seven month journey with plans to travel all over the western states and National Parks. This is the shakedown portion and we are still having problems with 6 brand new tires that keep deflating.. but like I said that's a whole nother story......

Thanks for the advice, have been lurking here for years and never really had anything much to say until now...

millsrv · 03-27-2011, 08:39 PM

Had the exact same issue and it was the factory installed filter. It was very simple to bypass and remove and the issue is gone. It was charcoal causing the water to turn black.