Clean fresh water tank

[coolbabe]

I need to clean my freshwater tank as it has sat empty for at least a year. How do I do that?

[STREMN]

From my 2008 Owners Manual

SANITIZING
Potable water systems require periodic maintenance to deliver a consistent flow of fresh water. Depending on use and the environment the system is subject to, sanitizing is recommended prior to storing and before using the water system after a period of storage. Systems with new components, or ones that have been subjected to contamination, should also be disinfected as follows:

1. Use one of the following methods to determine the amount of common household bleach needed to sanitize the tank.

A) Multiply “gallons of tank capacity” by 0.13; the result is the ounces of bleach needed to sanitize the tank.

B) Multiply “Liters of tank capacity” by 1.0; the result is the milliliters of
bleach needed to sanitize the tank.

2. Mix into solution the proper amount of bleach within a container of water.

3. Pour the solution (water/bleach) into the tank and fill the tank with potable water.

4. Open all faucets (Hot & Cold) allowing the water to run until the distinct odor of chlorine is detected.

5. The standard solution must have four (4) hours of contact time to disinfect completely. If you double the solution, this concentration allows for contact time of one (1) hour.

6. When the contact time is completed, drain the tank. Refill with potable water and purge the plumbing of all sanitizing solution.

NOTE: The sanitizing procedure outlined above is in conformance with the approved
procedures of RVIA ANSI Al19.2 and the U.S. Public Health Service.

[HiJoeSilver]

1/2 teaspoon regular Clorox bleach per 10 gallons capacity of the tank (splashless or scented bleach cant be used, generic regular bleach is ok). Mix the bleach first with a little water then pour into the tank inlet. Then fil the tank, this helps ensure a good mixing. Run the fresh water pump to get some bleach in the pump. Let sit for at least 30 minutes, an hour is better. You can use a little more bleach but don't go overboard. Drain tank. Repeat if you're really worried. Refill tank with fresh water and use pump to run water through faucet to rinse out pump and tank of bleach residue. I would refill it one more time for a final rinse. Then use it.

[DaveP]

Interesting blog on conserving water. Just ordered a Danco water-saving aerator for the bathroom. We boon-dock a lot around Colorado during the summer. Thanks for posting your ideas/practices!

[DaveP]

BTW, we made a change to our toilet plumbing which inserted a "T" before the toilet valve which connects to a hand-held sprayer. That way, we can use the sprayer without flushing the toilet at the same time. Allows us to clean the toilet up before flushing thus conserving water.