Community Forums

NHBoone · 05-28-2019, 04:31 AM

How long do you leave your water tank empty before you need to re-sanitize it?

georgelesley · 05-28-2019, 05:00 AM

I do ours every spring prior to the first trip, then add a bit of bleach each time we fill up as we travel.

Bigd9 · 05-28-2019, 05:01 AM

All depends on the last water source. If it was a city water with sanitizers in the water, I would go a year. If the water was raw like well water, then probably a month.

jenandjon · 05-28-2019, 05:02 AM

We do the same as George.

Bigd9 · 05-28-2019, 06:41 AM

Be very careful about adding "a little bleach" each time you fill up with water, especially if you are using the water for drinking (ice cubes, coffee, etc). Since "city" water sources already have sanitizes in the water, adding more can be harmful.

"According to the U.S. EPA, drinking water should contain no more than 4 ppm (parts per million) chlorine. Municipal water supplies commonly deliver between 0.2 and 0.5 ppm chlorine. "

Be safe, and be careful

NHBoone · 05-28-2019, 07:44 AM

Thanks for the replys! I was asking because after this past weekend I had emptyed my water tank but don’t plane on using it again for two weeks. I didn’t know if it could sit empty for two weeks before refilling it with city water without being re-sanitized.

Gary RVRoamer · 05-28-2019, 07:49 AM

There is no real answer to the "how long" question. Conceivably the tank could get contaminated again in a few minutes, whether empty or full. Mostly it won't, especially if the water came from an safe supply. City water is treated, and so are most campground wells because they are considered a public water supply, just like a restaurant.

My own thinking is that once a year is sufficient unless I have reason to suspect that untreated water got into the system.

georgelesley · 05-28-2019, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

Be very careful about adding "a little bleach" each time you fill up with water, especially if you are using the water for drinking (ice cubes, coffee, etc). Since "city" water sources already have sanitizes in the water, adding more can be harmful.

"According to the U.S. EPA, drinking water should contain no more than 4 ppm (parts per million) chlorine. Municipal water supplies commonly deliver between 0.2 and 0.5 ppm chlorine. "

Be safe, and be careful

We actually measure, I just used the expression so as not to complicate the post. Your RV manual should have detailed instructions. We also have a dedicated cold water dispenser with a filter that removes the chlorine.