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Sterilizing/Disinfecting your Freshwater Tank - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Sterilizing/Disinfecting your Freshwater Tank (/showthread.php?tid=8468)


Sterilizing/Disinfecting your Freshwater Tank - CaptainGizmo - 06-03-2025

Much discussion has transpired over the years regarding the need for sanitizing our Newell's freshwater tank. Newell actually doesn't feel there's a need, based on many factors; on-board filters, types of resorts visited, to name a couple.

In fact, our 2015 coach doesn't have a "fresh-water" rinse/filler port. Many coaches HAVE been configured to have one, especially from those who have come from other coaches.

Personally, I feel that the ONLY good answer for someone who asks if they should sanitize their tank is, "Sure, it can't hurt if you do it properly". To me, this is a lot more prudent than the answer I've heard, which is, "Why?". After all, there's NO downside to sanitizing your tank and, if nothing else, can provide you with peace of mind.

So, I set out to configure a nice little package I can carry which allows me to, very quickly, connect to the hose bib, add bleach, then inject that bleach into my tank using the built-in fill hose. This not only is super convenient, but it also gives me the advantage of running bleach through the fill hose. Of course, I make sure that fresh water thoroughly flushes both the filter housing and the hose BEFORE I disconnect.

[Image: water-tank-sanitizer-setup-copy-jpeg.28275]

Here's the procedure I use, which is in accordance with Aquahot:
  1. Have your fresh tank around 1/2 full.
  2. SHUT YOUR ON-BOARD WATER FILTER VALVE OFF on the Wet Bay panel.
  3. Connect this induction system to the hose bib and coach's filler hose.
  4. Fill housing with 2 3/4c NON-SCENTED NON-GEL Household Bleach. This small housing is the PERFECT size for the 143 gallon tank...fill it to the brim.
  5. Fill the rest of the tank with water. This will induct the pure bleach into hose and tank and, at by the time the tank is full, the housing and hose will have been flushed with clean water.
  6. Disconnect everything.
  7. Take a quick lap around the lot, shaking the coach/tank as much as possible.
  8. Open EVERY faucet, spigot, and shower head...both hot and cold sides...and flush toilets, until you smell chorinated water come out.
  9. Let set for a minimum of 4 hours. I do it overnight.
  10. Drain tank completely.
  11. Fill tank to about 20% with fresh water.
  12. Open all faucets, showers, and flush toilets once again, to flush with fresh water.
  13. Open water filter valve.
  14. Fill tank completely with my 3-stage filter & softened water system.


RE: Sterilizing/Disinfecting your Freshwater Tank - hypoxia - 06-03-2025

Always interesting to see what device you come up with Steve.

1482 does have a fresh water fill which I use to get the most volume in for dry camping 4X4 trips.  I don't sterilize the tank, I figure the critters will keep my immune system strong  Big Grin  45 years of camping & haven't been affected yet.  Perhaps I should take some ivermectin & see what happens  Angel Dodgy

RE: Sterilizing/Disinfecting your Freshwater Tank - CaptainGizmo - 06-03-2025

I hear ya, Jim. But listen, after the last couple years of what our family has dealt with, I’m not about to take on another “that hardly ever happens” event!

RE: Sterilizing/Disinfecting your Freshwater Tank - RobSC - 06-03-2025

Steve,

Nice write-up on the procedure.  I'm going to put this on my list to finish before our next trip.  I've never done this, but I know it should be done.

RE: Sterilizing/Disinfecting your Freshwater Tank - [email protected] - 06-04-2025

Nice write up Jim. 

This is a good reminder after I just heard about the poor lady that got a brain eating amoeba from her rv water. One thing to note about that particular amoeba is that she actually got it because she used a nasal rinse with her tap water, it will not do anything to you if you drink the amoeba. 

I have installed an Acuva UV water treatment system that feeds a tap on the counter, my refrigerator ice make/water and my coffee maker.

RE: Sterilizing/Disinfecting your Freshwater Tank - CaptainGizmo - 06-04-2025

(06-04-2025, 02:11 PM)[email protected] Wrote:  Nice write up Jim. 

This is a good reminder after I just heard about the poor lady that got a brain eating amoeba from her rv water. One thing to note about that particular amoeba is that she actually got it because she used a nasal rinse with her tap water, it will not do anything to you if you drink the amoeba. 

I have installed an Acuva UV water treatment system that feeds a tap on the counter, my refrigerator ice make/water and my coffee maker.

Jeff, actually, it was me that posted this system and procedure. I’ve responded to several posted on both “other” forums so I thought it would be of benefit here as well.

Yes, though out of context someone had posted the Neti-pot death which…of course…pulled the original question off topic with the usual “how did I ever survive all these years” responses.

My point is I can attest to an owner of a very new coach who was driven crazy with a horrible smell in his coach for over a year..UNTIL, someone finally said “hey, let’s disinfect your tank!” And…guess what? No more STINK!

So, point is…whether or not folks drink or snort the tank water…there may be another reason to sanitize your tank.

I can’t argue.

RE: Sterilizing/Disinfecting your Freshwater Tank - [email protected] - 06-05-2025

(06-04-2025, 07:46 PM)CaptainGizmo Wrote:  
(06-04-2025, 02:11 PM)[email protected] Wrote:  Nice write up Jim. 

This is a good reminder after I just heard about the poor lady that got a brain eating amoeba from her rv water. One thing to note about that particular amoeba is that she actually got it because she used a nasal rinse with her tap water, it will not do anything to you if you drink the amoeba. 

I have installed an Acuva UV water treatment system that feeds a tap on the counter, my refrigerator ice make/water and my coffee maker.

Jeff, actually, it was me that posted this system and procedure. I’ve responded to several posted on both “other” forums so I thought it would be of benefit here as well.

Yes, though out of context someone had posted the Neti-pot death which…of course…pulled the original question off topic with the usual “how did I ever survive all these years” responses.

My point is I can attest to an owner of a very new coach who was driven crazy with a horrible smell in his coach for over a year..UNTIL, someone finally said “hey, let’s disinfect your tank!” And…guess what? No more STINK!

So, point is…whether or not folks drink or snort the tank water…there may be another reason to sanitize your tank.

I can’t argue.

Steve, apologize somehow I had Jim in my mind from reading the post and got mixed up, as Richard says I have some corrupt chips! 

Thanks for bringing this to mind and providing a good procedure. 

So I just did a search for my Acuva system and it appears that they have sold to Lippert, or at least the technology. It’s a bit pricey but for me it provides peace of mind. 

https://a.co/d/gqpsJqG

RE: Sterilizing/Disinfecting your Freshwater Tank - CaptainGizmo - 06-05-2025

I hear ya on the corrupt memory chips, Jeff…ZERO WORRY! Just didn’t want to add to any confusion..like none of us need. ?

The UV systems are neat and expensive for sure. But the do kill the microorganisms. However, I think the bigger threat…pun intended…is all the solids/minerals, sediment and crap that gets into the tank…just waiting to clog up the plumbing that has become quite finnicky with the higher end fixtures.

I can tell you this, to build a three stage water filter in softener system with all top quality products is very expensive; much more expensive just for the parts than I see from the other commercially made solutions. Heck, I saw one post elsewhere for a 3-stage that costs less than what I pay just for the housings and filters!