Top Tips to Sanitize Your RV Fresh Water Like a Pro
RV camping is all about freedom, adventure, and sipping crisp, clean water from your freshwater tank. I use mine! Yes, it’s safe if you follow a few simple steps to sanitize your tanks regularly.
A funky tank can turn your dream road trip into a nightmare faster than you can say “where’s the bottled water?” Fear not, fellow wanderer! With these straightforward, laugh-out-loud tips, you’ll keep your RV’s fresh water tank sparkling clean and ready for your next adventure. Let’s dive into the art of flushing the funk!
Why is RV Tank Sanitization important?
Your RV’s fresh water tank is easy to forget. Algae and bacteria love to throw a party in unattended tanks, especially during off-season storage. Regular sanitizing ensures your water stays safe to drink, cook with, and brush your teeth without tasting like a swamp.
How Often Should You Sanitize?
I sanitize my tanks twice a year. Once before camping season, and once before winter storage. This makes sure it is put away clean, and that nothing bad happened while I wasn’t looking. I also keep my tanks full between trips, but with some RVs that is not recommended, in which case I empty my tanks, including the lines.
Its not a terrible idea to sanitize if you haven’t camped for a few weeks. And especially if you notice odd smells, tastes, or cloudy water. Better safe than sorry when it comes to your H2O!
What You’ll Need
Household Bleach: Unscented, non-gel, 5.25-6% sodium hypochlorite (check the label!)
Measuring Cup: For precise measurements of bleach.
Funnel: To pour bleach without making a mess.
Clean Hose: A drinking-water-safe hose (white, not green!) for filling.
Fresh Water Source: Clean, potable water for flushing.
Step-by-Step Tips to Sanitize Your RV Fresh Water Tank
1. Drain the Tank
Be sure your water heater is not bypassed and that it is turned off. If your water heater states otherwise, leave it in bypass. This is critical. Then start by emptying your freshwater system completely. Disconnect city water, turn of the pump, and just open the faucets and the low point drains, as well as your main tank drain valve. Once water stops, close all the valves and spigots.
2. Mix the Solution
Bleach is your best friend for sanitizing, but don’t go overboard—too much can damage your system. According to Clorox, The golden ratio is 1 teaspoon for 7 gallons of water.
For example (this is slightly more concentrated than that, but what I use):
10-gallon tank? 1 3/4 Ounces
20-Gallon Tank? 3 1/2 Ounces.
Mix the bleach with a gallon of water in a clean container to dilute it, then pour it into the tank using a funnel in your gravity fill.
3. Fill'er Up
Fill the tank with fresh, potable water using a hose that is safe for drinking water. As the tank fills, the bleach solution will mix and start doing its job. Once full, run water through all faucets, showers, and toilets (hot and cold) until you smell a faint chlorine scent. This ensures the entire system—pipes, pump, and all—gets sanitized. Close the faucets and let the solution sit for at least 12 hours, but no more than 24 hours. Going for a short drive to splash the inside of the fresh tank is ideal and something you should do.
4. Flush
After the soak, drain the tank again. Refill it with fresh water and flush the system by running water through all faucets, showers, and toilets until the chlorine smell is gone. This might take 2-3 tank refills, depending on your system.
5. The Sniff & Taste Test
Once the chlorine smell is gone, fill the tank one last time with fresh water. Run a glass of water and give it a sniff and a sip (just a tiny one!). If it smells or tastes off, repeat the flushing step. If it’s crisp and clean, you’re done!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Too Much Bleach: More isn’t better! Stick to the ratio of 1 teaspoon per 7 gallons, and you’ll be fine. More may damage your system .
Skipping the Soak: Don’t rush the 12-hour soak—bacteria need time to say their goodbyes.
Using the Wrong Hose: That green garden hose is not safe for drinking water. Invest in a white, RV-specific hose, but you probably already have that.
Forgetting the Hot Water Lines: Run the bleach solution through your hot water heater and hot faucets to sanitize every nook. That forgotten spigot may harbor fugitives.
Need help? Like in all cases, we're here to help.
Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end of our journey into the world of RV fresh water sanitation! We hope you found this information helpful in keeping your recreational vehicle’s plumbing system clean. Remember, regular maintenance is key to preventing issues down the line.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and as always, if you have any questions, reach out to us in the “Contact us” link below.
Stay Where You Are, We’ll Be Right There
As with all of our work, our team will come to you. There is no need to transport your camper or RV to a facility, leave it for days or weeks, only to have to go pick it up again. Whether it is in your driveway, a camp-site, or in storage, we will do our best to accommodate your needs, schedule, and location.
Just contact us, and we’ll take care of the rest.
