Sanitizing the water system

[Nxkharra]

Hi all. Pleas help. My wife and I both have allergy to bleach so I can not use that to sanitize the water tank and pipes. Is there another way to sanitize without bleach?


Itasca Meridian 36M, 2013. Jeep Wrangler X, 2009
Full Timer from Norfolk VA

[Podivin]

I've used this on my boat before, it worked well.
THETFORD Fresh Water Tank Sanitizer | West Marine
There seem to be several other similar products.

[Nxkharra]

Thanks. I ordered. Do I have to take the filters out. I just changed them.


Itasca Meridian 36M, 2013 - Jeep Wrangler X 2009

[Nxkharra]

Anybody has experience with Thetford sanitizing kit?
If you used this method, did you remove the filters before doing so?


Itasca Meridian 36M, 2013. Jeep Wrangler X, 2009
Full Timer from Norfolk VA

[BoDu]

I am sanitizing with shock powder used for hot tubs and swimming pools. Use only three teaspoons and it does not have the salts that are present in bleach. Therefore it only requires a quick flush once the chlorine has done its job. Yes. You should remove the filter and probably go ahead and replace when you flush.

There are some recommendations on other forums to use a low dose of this material with every fill up especially when using non-chlorinated water (such as from a private well.) I do not follow this practice.

[Lv2Roam2]

Vinegar is an alternative along with a thorough fresh water flush ... do remove the filters prior to treatment - replace after flushing ... remember to clean the water pump trap and any external water hoses ...

[garbonz]

Quatrenary Ammonia and iodine are other chemicals that works. Read this.

Sanitizers

There are three ways to sanitize – chemicals, heat, or radiation. As radiation is not practical for equipment sanitation in most food facilities, only heat and chemical sanitizers will be discussed.
Chemical sanitizers are the most common sanitizers used. There are four types -- chlorine; iodine; quaternary ammonium ; and acid. Chlorine is the most common, but iodine, quaternary ammonium or quats, and acids are also used. The factors that can affect how well sanitizers work are things such as time of exposure, pH, temperature, and water hardness.
With pH, generally the effectiveness of the sanitizer increases with decreasing pH. This is true for iodine, chlorine and acid sanitizers, but not quats. For all sanitizers, the higher the temperature the more effective the sanitizer, up to a point. At very high temperatures (above 120°F) chlorine and iodine start to be driven out of the sanitizing solutions as gases. Heat speeds up chemical reactions, reduces surface tension, and decreases viscosity.
The minimum concentration that is effective differs for each type of sanitizer. Label directions should be followed.

· Chlorine is the most widely used sanitizer. Chlorine is effective at the following concentrations depending upon contact time and water temperature. With a water temperature of 120°F or above: 25 parts per million (ppm) chlorine with a contact time of 10 seconds is adequate. Between 100 and 120°F: 50 ppm chlorine for 7 seconds works. Below 100°F: 100 ppm chlorine for 10 seconds is needed. With a particularly high water pH, (those above pH 10.0) some of these values might change.
· Iodine requires a concentration of 12.5 ppm with a minimum water temperature of 75°F and a contact time of 30 seconds.
· Quaternary ammonium requires a concentration of 150 to 400 ppm with a minimum water temperature of 75°F and a contact time of 30 seconds.Water hardness might effect quat. sanitizers. The water hardness should be known before using this sanitizer.


Table 1. Summary of chemical sanitizing agents.


Minimum concentration

Minimum Temperature

Minimum contact time

Chlorine – 25 ppm

120°F

10 seconds

Chlorine – 50 ppm

100°F

7 seconds

Chlorine – 100 ppm

55°F

10 seconds

Iodine – 12.5 ppm

75°F

30 seconds

Quaternary ammonium – 150-400 ppm

75°F

30 seconds


The above recommendations assume: pH 10 or less for chlorine solutions, pH 5 or less for iodine solutions, and 500mg/l hardness for quaternary ammonium. The manufacturer recommendations should always be followed for sanitizing solutions.

There are advantages and disadvantages for each of the chemical sanitizers. Chlorine is inexpensive and effective against all vegetative pathogens. However, it is easily inactivated by organic matter and can be corrosive to equipment. At very high temperatures chlorine is unstable and is driven out of the sanitizing solution as a gas.
Iodine is effective over a wide temperature range, not irritating to skin, and the strength of the solution is easily indicated by its color. However, it can discolor white walls, might be corrosive is unstable at high temperatures, and is more expensive than chlorine.
Quaternar ammonium is effective even in the presence of organic matter, can be combined with detergents, and have a residual effect after application. But, they are not very effective against gram negative organisms (such as those found in seafood processing facilities) and their efficiency is reduced in hard water. Acid sanitizers are non-corrosive and are effective against vegetative cells. However, they require a long contact time and might be ineffective at a pH above 3.0.


Table 2. Advantages and disadvantages of chemical sanitizers



Chemical

Advantages

Disadvantages

Chlorine


Inexpensive
Kills all tpes of vegetaive cells
Rinse usually not required

Inactivated by organics
Somewhat corrosive
Unstable at high tempreatures


Iodine


Inexpensive
Strength is visually discernable
Effective over a wide temperature range
Non-irritating to skin


May discolor white walls
Corrosive at high tempreatures
More expensive than chlorine – rinse may be required
Unstable at high temperatures

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

Resistant to organic matter
Can be combined with detergents
Has some residual effectiveness following application


Not as effective against gram nvegative organisms
Efficacy may be reduced by hard water

Acid

Non-corrosive
Kills vegetative cells

Requires long contact time
May be ineffective at pH above 3.0




Sanitizer strengths should be checked often, because concentration changes. The most commonly used method of testing is test strips, which change color and which are then compared against a standard color to provide a sanitizer level. A different type of test strip must be used for each type of sanitizer. The sanitizer must be matched with the test strip.
Both moist and dry heat can be used as effective sanitizers depending on the situation. If heat is used, a minimum temperature and exposure time of the heat is necessary for sanitizing to be effective. For example, if steam is used the minimum temperature should be 200°F for 5 minutes, but if water is used the temperature must be at least 170°F for 5 to 20 minutes depending upon the application. If dry heat is used the minimum temperature is 180°F for 20 minutes.

[garbonz]

Here is the PDF site, the charts render better.


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...OXMePy0pV2OXOQ

[Old-Biscuit]

I'm just curious WHY the need to sanitize.

Only time I sanitize is WHEN they has been growth due to stagnant water or use of untreated water.
Both of those times were a used RV.

Otherwise I haven't bothered with it..........current rv is a 2007 that I bought new, FTd for 7 yrs and yet to have sanitized it.
Not really needed when using/filling with city water and then draining when not in use.

Do you sanitize your Home water system?

[RodK]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

I'm just curious WHY the need to sanitize.

Only time I sanitize is WHEN they has been growth due to stagnant water or use of untreated water.
Both of those times were a used RV.

Otherwise I haven't bothered with it..........current rv is a 2007 that I bought new, FTd for 7 yrs and yet to have sanitized it.
Not really needed when using/filling with city water and then draining when not in use.

Do you sanitize your Home water system?

Some of us in colder climates don't use our rv for 5-6 months through the winter. That would justify sanitation

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by RodK

Some of us in colder climates don't use our rv for 5-6 months through the winter. That would justify sanitation

A large portion of my life was in WY & UT'

Just drained/blew out systems....then and now
Dry system equals no harm/no foul

Never even heard of 'RV Anti-freeze' until I joined an RV Forum back in 2009

[LINADR]

Bromine is also a good sanitizer.

[sask66]

I haven't used it but was told by an R.V. Service guy that hydrogen peroxide is a good alternative to bleach?

[garbonz]

Originally Posted by LINADR

Bromine is also a good sanitizer.

Bromine is commonly used in hot tubs because it lasts longer in hot water than chlorine, so it is available from hot tub suppliers. Don't know how well it works in these applications.