gbaglo
Senior Member
And, just curious, does RV anti-freeze have any sanitizing capacity?
Just curious, but do you need to sanitize the tanks right from the factory? I'm picking up my Escape 17B March 24th and this started me thinking about what I have to do after I get it home.
Logically, I would say that since RV plumbing antifreeze is non-toxic to people, it is unlikely to kill germs; it seems like sanitizing and safe consumption are mutually exclusive, although that's an admittedly simplistic argument.And, just curious, does RV anti-freeze have any sanitizing capacity?
... although I'll note that this page is about disinfection, rather than sanitization.... the optimum bactericidal concentration is 60%–90% solutions in water (volume/volume)
And wear crummy clothes for sure or you will likely ruin them.
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) standard, which most Public Water System Rules are written to, says that bleach concentration AND contact time ARE important. Doing some quick calculations I have found that the 1/2 cup per a full water tank(roughly 30 gal) would yield a concentration of roughly 100 ppm or parts per million(assuming 6% bleach). The required contact time for this concentration is a minimum of 4 hours. You can cut the concentration in half and do it for 8 hours which is what i do(overnight really). Less chlorine to flush out...and yes make sure you have chlorine at ALL taps prior to the waiting time. Make sure the water drains out on your driveway so the chlorine can evaporate and not on your lawn or stream as it will kill most things it touches!(like shirts!) Then fill and flush the whole system a couple of times. The chlorine will also help to freshen up your black and grey tanks too. And yes I am a Licensed Water Treatment Plant Operator and a Certified Pool Operator.![]()
plus water could sit stagnant for months in the pipes of ours (not full timing)
;D
>Does having a closed system (lack of sunlight) help with reducing algae/bacteria growth?
>Given it's difficult to maintain a completely bacteria free fresh water system, has anyone installed a high quality inline water filter?
Thanks
From Popular Science web site:
How much bacteria do people carry around?
Enough to fill a big soup can. "That's three to five pounds of bacteria,"
Yes, and bacteria in our gut are actually necessary to good digestion and our health.
Most of the bacteria that will grow in your trailer's water system will not likely make anyone sick if they have a normal immune system. For me its more a gross out factor, knowing the potential for growth. Also, the bugs in a water system aren't beneficial to our bodies. Our trailer sits from October to April, just about enough time for organisms to begin developing biofilms that can sluff off loads of bacteria. I think I will ask a former colleague of mine to do a bacterial culture/count this spring after I complete my sanitization. I would be interested to know how effective it is after a common storage period of 6 months. Of course it will only be anecdotal and specific to my trailer, because varying bacteria and varying storage conditions will produce different results.
And you think bottled water is the safest route because???? Bottled water is regulated by the FDA and their record is poor at best...most bottled water comes from a municipal water supply and then sits on the grocery store shelf for months then we generate huge amounts of waste w the bottles...not sustainable. Fill a jug from home if you are worried about campground water, which from my experience is a valid concern...or sanitize and fill your tank at home and use it.This is great info - thanks.
However..... given that one does not know the quality of the water obtained from camp sites....
plus water could sit stagnant for months in the pipes of ours (not full timing)
we have decided to take the safest route: bottled water for drinking and tooth brushing
and the Escape water system for dish washing. (figuring that the water system / tank wouldn't be toxic, and so dish washing would be OK)
just our 2c.
;D