Apparently, "drinking water safe" does not imply "doesn't stink"!

[TimmyB]

We are full-timers and have been since March 2020. As far as water is concerned, we use campground water for toilets, sinks, and showers, but never for drinking. We do use it for cooking, but only if we are boiling first (e.g., pasta). We've been having issues with really stinky water for about a month now, as in if you run the shower, the whole RV smells stale. And, this is a cold-and-hot water issue, not simply when hot is running. They both smell really bad.

I thought that I'd better do my yearly sanitizing of the water lines. Well, after doing that, the stink came back the very next day! And yes, I changed the filter as soon as I was finished with the sanitizing process. Quite disheartened, I thought I'd better redo it, but use a slightly stronger mix and leave it in for a couple hours more. Next day, same problem. There is NO WAY this should be happening.

So, later that day I needed to empty my black tank. It was then, as I'm standing there waiting for the tank to empty that I realized last month I switched over to a "drinking-water-safe" version of the Flexzilla hose. The only reason I did this was because I truly hate those white RV hoses, especially when it's cold outside and you are packing up from a campground. They simply don't like to cooperate. Plus, I had read enough comments from other RV'ers who had used these Flexzilla hoses and were happy with them. Anyway, big light bulb appeared and I realized that this coincided with the bad water smell.

I happened to keep one of my old white hoses and sure enough, when I switched back over to it, no more stinky water. So now, I have to see if I can get my $50 back from Menard's or do I have one of the nicest sewer flush hoses on the market!

Anyone else have this issue with Flexzilla? I see several of you using Zero-G hoses instead. Anyone care to give feedback on those? Again, we don't really drink the water but we don't want the house to stink simply because we washed our hands or took a shower.

Thanks for any feedback.

[96 Wideglide]

Good heads-up !

[johnhicks]

I have a grey Zero-G hose I use for general outdoor water, not connected to the RV. For the first six or so months of constant use it gave a nasty "water-hose taste" and smell to the water even though it's drinking-water safe. Now a couple of years later there's no taste or smell.

Others of course use Zero-G hoses and don't notice a taste or smell.

[Max Headroom]

I too got tired of the white hoses and bought a Zero G hose. I mostly use it to fill the coach tank. So far it's been great. No smell, nothing weird or odd about the water. That said, it's all been water of known quality.
The hose I bought says it's drinking water safe, although if it hadn't said that, i would have still bought and used it.

BTW growing up the garden hose was drank from a lot, by everyone and no regard was given for it being 'safe'. Maybe we worry about this kind of stuff too much...IDK

Maybe try using the hose at home to water the lawn for a week or two. Maybe it just needs to have a bunch of water run thru it.

[F4Gary]

This hose?
Lots of bad reviews on Amazon.

[followingsea]

Originally Posted by TimmyB

....Anyone care to give feedback on those? ...

I have used all kinds of hoses but I do not keep a hose hooked up and pressurized.

My routine is to drain black then grey tank. After washing my hands, I connect the fresh water hose and flush it by runnning water to the black water tank and cleaning or washing dishes.

Then I take a shower. Then I fill my fresh water tank and disconnect the hose and run on the pump.

If I hear the pump running, then there is a leak I have to fix.

[MSHappyCampers]

Never heard about a problem like that with the Zero G!

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

I too got tired of the white hoses and bought a Zero G hose. I mostly use it to fill the coach tank. So far it's been great. No smell, nothing weird or odd about the water. That said, it's all been water of known quality.
The hose I bought says it's drinking water safe, although if it hadn't said that, i would have still bought and used it.

BTW growing up the garden hose was drank from a lot, by everyone and no regard was given for it being 'safe'. Maybe we worry about this kind of stuff too much...IDK

Maybe try using the hose at home to water the lawn for a week or two. Maybe it just needs to have a bunch of water run thru it.

Yeah, we've had it for four weeks and definitely not getting better. Unfortunately, this IS home. No yard to worry about!

Thanks for the feedback.

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by F4Gary

This hose?
Lots of bad reviews on Amazon.

It's that green hose but different fittings. TBH, I have zero faith in Amazon reviews.

Thanks for the feedback.

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by followingsea

I have used all kinds of hoses but I do not keep a hose hooked up and pressurized.

My routine is to drain black then grey tank. After washing my hands, I connect the fresh water hose and flush it by runnning water to the black water tank and cleaning or washing dishes.

Then I take a shower. Then I fill my fresh water tank and disconnect the hose and run on the pump.

If I hear the pump running, then there is a leak I have to fix.

Not an option for us.

Thanks for the feedback.

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by johnhicks

I have a grey Zero-G hose I use for general outdoor water, not connected to the RV. For the first six or so months of constant use it gave a nasty "water-hose taste" and smell to the water even though it's drinking-water safe. Now a couple of years later there's no taste or smell.

Others of course use Zero-G hoses and don't notice a taste or smell.

That's my fear. I don't want to spend another 40 or 50 dollars to find out the problem is there as well.

Thanks for the feedback.

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Never heard about a problem like that with the Zero G!

You were one of those that I knew had it and I was hoping you'd chime in! Things still good with it then?

[Harry B]

I have been using the ZeroG hoses for 2-3 years now with no issues.
I do use the blue version of the hose. I am not sure what the difference is between the grey and blue version but I thought I would play if safe as the blue version is speciffically mentioned as drinking water safe and rated for RV life.

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Harry B

I have been using the ZeroG hoses for 2-3 years now with no issues.
I do use the blue version of the hose. I am not sure what the difference is between the grey and blue version but I thought I would play if safe as the blue version is speciffically mentioned as drinking water safe and rated for RV life.

Good to know. I will definitely go with the RV-specific if I do this!

Thanks for the feedback.