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How to sanitize new RV water system

CabinetmakerII
Explorer
Explorer
While dumping tanks the other day I was looking at the "Water Control Panel" and got to wondering how to sanitize the fresh water holding tank. All of our previous RV's had a gravity feed fill port for putting water into the fresh water tank. When sanitizing the system I would simply pour a measured amount of bleach into said port and fill the tank. Run the water pump to get the bleached water into the system and let it sit overnight. Then drain and flush the system the next day. Now to the issue at hand. On this new coach, the "Tank Fill" is controlled by a valve. Simply turn the the City water valve to the Tank Fill position and the tank fills... How then do I introduce bleach into the system? Is there a siphon type connection available to put onto the bleach and the water flow takes it to the tank? Any advice would be appreciated!

Allan
Cabinetmaker

2021 DRV 39 DBRS3
2017 F-450 4X4, Riece 24K Hitch
2011 F-450 4X4, Companion 18K Hitch, Air Bags (Retired)
2012 Cyclone 3800, 5th Airborne Kingpin (Retired)
2018 Polairs 1000 XP Side by Side
12 REPLIES 12

mfinnerty
Explorer
Explorer
I'm with Bumpy, tried the hose method and it was cumbersome to get the bleach in the hose and keep it there while connecting it to the RV. The filter method is so much easier.
Mike & Linda Finnerty with Finn & Rosco (Golden mix brothers)

RobWNY
Explorer
Explorer
CabinetmakerII wrote:
OMG! How simple is that! Thank you for such a simple solution! Who feels stupid now?
Don't feel stupid. That's my job! I do my job diligently every month ๐Ÿ™‚
2020 Silverado 2500HD LT, CC, 4X4 6.6 Duramax
2021 Grand Design Reflection 311BHS

I asked him to do one thing and he didn't do any of them.

TechWriter
Explorer
Explorer
Sjm9911 wrote:
Addtionally they sell a hand pump you can attach to the city water port. I use the pump winterizing suction as i have no gravity fill on my TT. But i did buy the hand pump. Took me a while to figure out out to use the pump for the antifreeze, bleach.

I bought an extra 12V water pump and use that to pump beach/water solution in a 5 gallon bucket right through water hose. Easy peasy.
2004 - 2010 Part Timer (35โ€™ 2004 National RV Sea Breeze 8341 - Workhorse)
2010 - 2021 Full Timer (41โ€™ 2001 Newmar Mountain Aire 4095 DP - Cummins)
2021 - ??? Part Timer (31โ€™ 2001 National RV Sea View 8311 - Ford)
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Sjm9911
Explorer
Explorer
Addtionally they sell a hand pump you can attach to the city water port. I use the pump winterizing suction as i have no gravity fill on my TT. But i did buy the hand pump. Took me a while to figure out out to use the pump for the antifreeze, bleach.
2012 kz spree 220 ks
2020 Silverado 2500
Equalizer ( because i have it)
Formerly a pup owner.

DrewE
Explorer
Explorer
The easiest way is probably to introduce the bleach into the hose, as others have said. That's what I do (and I have a similar setup).

If you have a winterizing suction setup, you could also use that to suck a bleach solution from a container and into the tank. You can similarly use it to suck in potable water, for that matter. Just set the valves to "winterize" and "fill" at the same time.

I think one of the main reasons why some RVs don't have a gravity fill port is that the fresh water tank is located higher off the ground than is convenient for a fill or hose connection. That's the case for my motorhome; the tank is contained in the bed base, and its top is maybe five feet above the ground. If there was a gravity fill port, it would have to be above many people's heads.

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Explorer
when I was using filters that took cartridges, I just took a cartridge out, poured a bunch of bleach in and ran the water in thru the system.
bumpy

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
Use genuine not artificial vanilla one cup per 50 gallons overnight to deodorize. It's magic ๐Ÿ™‚

CabinetmakerII
Explorer
Explorer
TenOC wrote:
My 5th wheel has a freshwater tank overflow/vent near the back of the 5th wheel is covered with a small white square piece of plastic about the size of one's hand. To remove pull up sharply and you have a gravity fill place.

Check out the photo on this posting


There is no such fitting on my RV... the tanks vent is a small hose (3/8"?) that has a tight mesh screen over it to keep the bugs out.
Cabinetmaker

2021 DRV 39 DBRS3
2017 F-450 4X4, Riece 24K Hitch
2011 F-450 4X4, Companion 18K Hitch, Air Bags (Retired)
2012 Cyclone 3800, 5th Airborne Kingpin (Retired)
2018 Polairs 1000 XP Side by Side

TenOC
Nomad
Nomad
My 5th wheel has a freshwater tank overflow/vent near the back of the 5th wheel is covered with a small white square piece of plastic about the size of one's hand. To remove pull up sharply and you have a gravity fill place.

Check out the photo on this posting
Please give me enough troubles, uncertainty, problems, obstacles and STRESS so that I do not become arrogant, proud, and smug in my own abilities, and enough blessings and good times that I realize that someone else is in charge of my life.

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CabinetmakerII
Explorer
Explorer
OMG! How simple is that! Thank you for such a simple solution! Who feels stupid now?
Cabinetmaker

2021 DRV 39 DBRS3
2017 F-450 4X4, Riece 24K Hitch
2011 F-450 4X4, Companion 18K Hitch, Air Bags (Retired)
2012 Cyclone 3800, 5th Airborne Kingpin (Retired)
2018 Polairs 1000 XP Side by Side

Rangerider
Explorer
Explorer
Same here. Put the bleach in the hose.
Me & the Wife
2012 Thor Hurricane 32A
Future Toad: 2008 Honda CR-V

RobWNY
Explorer
Explorer
How I do it is, I unhook my hose from the spigot, pour about a cup of bleach into the hose using a small funnel and then reattach the hose and turn the water on. I fill my fresh water tank and then proceed just as you do. Draw water through the system with the pump, let it sit about 24 hours and then drain everything out.
2020 Silverado 2500HD LT, CC, 4X4 6.6 Duramax
2021 Grand Design Reflection 311BHS

I asked him to do one thing and he didn't do any of them.