Sanitizing water tanks

[Renegade RV]

I want to sanitize our water tanks this spring but am stumped on how to get the bleach solution into the tanks. My thought was to use the winterizing line to pump the solution into the tanks but in looking at the valving I don’t think this is possible.

Curious for what other Renegade owners have done.

[RaceRenegade]

Get a garden hose Venturi siphon for an easy way to add your fav sanitizer while you fill. Another option just extend your water line and fill the hose, reconnect to external water, and continue filling. The later is what I do.

[jenandjon]

This is what I do. I take the water hose and dump some bleach down the hose. I stick the hose in the tank and turn on the water.

[Ziggy8321]

I am sure this will create some comments, but in 30 years and 6 motorhomes some new some used, I have never sanitized a water tank and never been sick.

[netjam]

Originally Posted by RaceRenegade

Get a garden hose Venturi siphon for an easy way to add your fav sanitizer while you fill. Another option just extend your water line and fill the hose, reconnect to external water, and continue filling. The later is what I do.

The later is what I do as well. You can get about a quart in 50 ft.

[Renegade RV]

Thanks for the input everyone. All good comments and advice.

I was searching for an educator pump on Amazon and not finding what I was looking for. I searched for a Venturi pump and found a brass one for $25 that looks pretty sturdy. I may order it if I decide to go forward with the process in light of Paul’s comments.

[docf150]

I take the filter cartridge out of the housing on the incoming water line and add the bleach to the filter case. Screw the housing back on and flush bleach into tanks, then stop and replace the filter cartridge. Haven't had any water problems so far. This was suggested by my dealer....

[SteveJ.]

Originally Posted by Ziggy8321

I am sure this will create some comments, but in 30 years and 6 motorhomes some new some used, I have never sanitized a water tank and never been sick.

I've kind of come around to this way of thinking.

My normal source of water is usually some sort of city water which is already treated with chlorine to sanitize it. If it's been more than a month of non-use I drain the fresh water tank and simply refill with fresh water. We normally use the water tank for cooking, coffee and tea, etc.

I do have a clear housing screen filter attached to the tank outlet so I can see if anything is amiss as far as scuzz.

We almost never hook up the water system to a shore supply, simply filling the tank directly as needed when we dump.

Most of our camping is either mooch(driveway), dry, or dispersed. Leaving Monday for four nights of hookup free camping in Savannah GA and Apalachicola FL.

[datsun78]

What ratio of bleach to water is preferred to sanitize?

[ThomB]

Originally Posted by datsun78

What ratio of bleach to water is preferred to sanitize?

Just did mine today. 1/4 cup bleach per 15 gallon of fresh water. Put it into the filter housing minus the filter then filled the tank. I ran each of the cold water taps for a few minutes each then let it sit for a while. Then I ran the entire contents of the fresh tank into the gray tank and through the toilet into the black tank until they were both full. They’re currently sitting with the bleach water in them and I’ll drain them both in about an hour.

I refilled the fresh water tank then with the “fresh” water I ran the taps again to get the remaining bleach water out of them.

[mwhdvm]

Originally Posted by ThomB

Just did mine today. 1/4 cup bleach per 15 gallon of fresh water. Put it into the filter housing minus the filter then filled the tank. I ran each of the cold water taps for a few minutes each then let it sit for a while. Then I ran the entire contents of the fresh tank into the gray tank and through the toilet into the black tank until they were both full. They’re currently sitting with the bleach water in them and I’ll drain them both in about an hour.

I refilled the fresh water tank then with the “fresh” water I ran the taps again to get the remaining bleach water out of them.

This was very helpful, thank you.

[JoeRider677]

I hate the idea of trying to pour sanitizer solution into the hose that's attached to the coach. Drawing bleach or some other solution into the pump through the straw under the bed, messy. I found one of the inline things on Amazon, I'm not the most graceful person in the world and trying to pour bleach or some other sanitizing solution into the bottle cap sized opening, um nope. I so whacked this thing together

[MagnaTudes]

Originally Posted by JoeRider677

I hate the idea of trying to pour sanitizer solution into the hose that's attached to the coach. Drawing bleach or some other solution into the pump through the straw under the bed, messy. I found one of the inline things on Amazon, I'm not the most graceful person in the world and trying to pour bleach or some other sanitizing solution into the bottle cap sized opening, um nope. I so whacked this thing together

BRILLIANT IDEA!

Could add a 1/4 turn shutooff valve.

[JoeRider677]

I have the garden hose style for the unit. The end fittings are garden hose