In my last Blog I talked about sanitizing the city water side of the RV water system. That leaves the fresh water tank side to sanitize.
Again we will use the section of hose you use to connect to city water. Mix bleach with water in a gallon jug adding about 12 ounces ( this is for a typical RV fresh water tank of about 50 gallon capacity so scale accordingly) to the gallon jug and filling it about 3/4’s full.
Using a funnel (and making sure the hose is empty of water) add mixture to one end of the hose until mixture is all in the hose. Connect one end to camper (to the fresh water fill connection) and other to city water source. Run water into the tank for approximately 5 minutes.
Remember if you have an in-line filter remember to remove and discard filter and after flushing system install a new one. Now is a good time to see if your fresh water pump (make sure pump is turned off) has an in-line mesh filter, if so disconnect and clean the screen and replace.
Now turn pump on and run water in every sink, shower (inside and out if so equipped) and toilet until you can smell the bleach. Now you have 2 choices. If your tank is not full you can drive around for 10 minutes sloshing the bleach and water around in the tank or you can just add water till the tank is full. The correct “contact time” to disinfect and sanitize is an hour. After the hour is up drain the tank, adding water as it drains to help remove the bleach solution. Turn on each faucet, shower and toilet and let run till you do not smell bleach anymore.
If you do this once a year you should not have any problems with your fresh water system in your camper. A small side note some Motor Homes and Fifth Wheels come with an under the sink water filter ( not reverse osmosis ). Since there is no way to run water thru these lines without a filter being attached make sure it is an old filter and replace the filter element after you flush system (both city water and water tank side).
Next week maintaining your grey water tank……