Odor in Fresh Water

[CPO_Retired]

Originally Posted by Steve N Sal

For one after you sanitize the system I for sure would not fill the fresh water tank again. When sitting anywhere for a while I totally empty the fresh water tank while hooke-up to city or well water. When we get ready took leave I'll put. In just what I think we will use for the time we may be on the road. We never use water from the. Onboard tank for drinking anyway. We always carry bottle water for that. Good luck I hope you get rid of the smell.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm I had not thought about doing this. Wouldn't leaving the tank empty or even partially filled make it easier for bacteria growth?

I drained the tank today and added bleach to the line and filter as suggested. I now have a bleach smell and the bad smell is not present. I am going to let the tank sit overnight and drain the tank again tomorrow. Hooked up to city water at the moment so I hope this helps. The city water here does not taste bad.

I have an Aqua Hot heater and as I understand it the heater element does not touch the water but heats a fluid that heats the water. So unless I am confused I don't think the water heater is to blame.

Thanks for everyone's help.

[michealwhela]

We were taught to drive with our on board water near empty to save weight (8 pounds per gallon) and then fill on arrival at destination. The only time We drive with it full is when we are going to dry camp. Even then if I know of a place where I can fill near our camp area I will wait until I do it then. As for the bleach I totally agree. It is the best way I have found to keep the system clean.

[Darrel]

Just one more thought - - I also had this happen and after sanitizing three times I found that the plumbing lines for a washer/dryer had stagnated. One more sanitize operation while flushing these lines also cured the problem. (the washer/dryer wasn't installed on my unit and those lines didn't occur to me)

Have anice day - Darrel

[adonh]

Originally Posted by Darrel

Just one more thought - - I also had this happen and after sanitizing three times I found that the plumbing lines for a washer/dryer had stagnated. One more sanitize operation while flushing these lines also cured the problem. (the washer/dryer wasn't installed on my unit and those lines didn't occur to me)

Have anice day - Darrel

I forgot about those. My washer/dryer was removed also. I have the drain capped off but I guess I need to find a way to run water from these lines from time to time to prevent this from happening. Thanks for the information.

[Tha_Rooster]

Is a 2010, I don't know how long you have owned it but it sounds like you have never sanitized the water system yuck. I would flush and bleach the !!!! Out of it including the hot water heater. Putting bleach into a water tank should be really simple most RV's have a little door on the side that goes straight to the tank. If it doesn't pour the bleach into your hose then hook it up.

[TQ60]

Pool shock powder has less smell and easier to use and store.

Place a few spoon fulls in hose at cg connection end and let it go.

[TexasTom]

Originally Posted by dieselclacker

A cup of bleach to 15 gallons of water is WAY TOO MUCH bleach. You will be forever getting the bleach smell and taste out.

Yea, I just learned that the hard way.

[Gary RVRoamer]

However, if you have a Suburban water heater, I think it would be prudent to test the hot water first. I would draw a glass of cold water from the bath. Then in the kitchen, draw a glass of hot water, then compare the smell of both outside.

Of course if you have an Atwood

LOL, I don't think Suburban vs Atwood is relevant. Either one can get the smelly microbes that thrive in warm water that gets no sunlight. I've encountered that problem a couple times in 20 years of RVing and never owned a Suburban heater.

[Ray,IN]

Use a different approach to cleaning and sanitizing your water tank. This method removes algae and/or slime a simple bleach treatment cannot/will not: Sanitizing

Originally Posted by Steve N Sal

For one after you sanitize the system I for sure would not fill the fresh water tank again. When sitting anywhere for a while I totally empty the fresh water tank while hooke-up to city or well water. When we get ready took leave I'll put. In just what I think we will use for the time we may be on the road. We never use water from the. Onboard tank for drinking anyway. We always carry bottle water for that. Good luck I hope you get rid of the smell.

Not totally you don't. There is a distance between the tank drain and tank floor unless you have an outlet in the tank floor. This contains water even after you have "drained" the tank. Plenty of room for nasties to grow and multiply. See link above to correct.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by TQ60

Pool shock powder has less smell and easier to use and store.

Place a few spoon fulls in hose at cg connection end and let it go.

The recipe is 1 tsp per 100G. How to Sanitize Your RV Fresh Water System
Also, most people overdose with bleach. This EPA pdf has the correct mixture:http://ndep.nv.gov/bsdw/docs/disinfe...king_water.pdf
BE ADVISED_ powdered (80%) chlorine (Sodium Dichlor) is dangerous if not handled properly. It is what I've used for the past 9 years, I bought one pound, and still have about half remaining.

[Mike and Cha]

We only use the fresh water in the MH holding tanks for the bathroom and washing dishes/showers ect. For drinking water we carry bottled water. I'm sure we could use the water for drinking if we wanted to as it always smell fresh, but just to be safe we use bottled water.