Sanitizing the water system

[2Nailz]

Originally Posted by Mwoodofd

I drained all my Pink Anti-Freeze last weekend. I always put a little pink stuff in the fresh water tank just to protect any of the valves having water left in them. When I drained the fresh tank, I notice algae in the pool of liquid on the ground (have an image on my phone, yuk). I also checked the water pump filter bowl that is attached to the water pump, and it was full of algae.

So I used the bleach method, by-passed AH and removed all filters, put in a concentrate amount of bleach in the fresh tank, filled with water, ran to all outlets, let sit for a few hours, then pumped tank dry through most of the faucets.

At this point I attached the hose to the Potable fill and filled the tank, then flushed all the lines with fresh water. I will go back this weekend and drain the fresh water tank and refill again with fresh water. From then, I usually use it, or change it about every 30 days. We have decent water here in the DFW area, so the chlorine usually takes care of the water system.

Check that water pump filter bowl - I was shocked.

Thanks! I have not even looked at the water pump filter bowl. I know there isn't a bypass, it's more of a mesh screen, but I do need to remove it and clean it of any debris.

[ajsfla]

Has anyone else heard of using peroxide to sanitize your water system
Anyone have knowledge of how to do it and how much peroxide??

[hdgoldie]

There are differences in opinion on the anti-bacterial properties of peroxide - it does not kill staph at all and has mixed results on other bacteria. I'll stick with bleach. If you are concerned about flushing all the bleach out of the system, add a little white vinegar to your flush. It will clear out any lingering traces/odor.

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by hdgoldie

There are differences in opinion on the anti-bacterial properties of peroxide - it does not kill staph at all and has mixed results on other bacteria. I'll stick with bleach. If you are concerned about flushing all the bleach out of the system, add a little white vinegar to your flush. It will clear out any lingering traces/odor.

I beg to disagree , peroxide does kill staph and e coli and a multitude of bacteria

Why do you think it is used on wounds?

Bleach doesn't kill staph but long enough exposure to free chlorine may

Peroxide is a much more effective killing bacteria than bleach unless you have high levels of free chlorine. Hard to accomplish with bleach

The truth is chlorine is cheap, easy to test for and widely used because if those two specific reasons

Free chlorine is targeted in potable water systems due to the above

Ozone and UV are effective as well but control and testing which is of course where peroxide comes in, difficult to test for at economical levels

[lwmcguire]

Peracetic acid is very effective and rinsing with vinegar along is effective

If you mix the peroxide ond vinegar don't inhale the vapor and use gloves to avoid a rash

[Mr_D]

Those of you that are worried about growing something bad in your RV water system but think a municipal water system is free of slime have never looked inside a pipe after a few years like I have.