Smelly fresh water system

[JohnP-ESC]

Hi everyone,
Before the last winter we blew out the fresh water lines and emptied the fresh water tank. Unfortunately, we did not close the drain valve of the fresh water tank. We tried to sanitize the fresh water system with a generous amount of bleach (initially more than 1/2 cup of bleach for the 38 gal tank, bit by bit we added the entire 2.4 L jug to the FW tank). We did not get any bleach smell at the taps but instead noticed a strong, foul "earthy" odor. The bleach we used (even though we just bought it) may have been old as it did not have a strong bleach smell.
The next day, with a new can of bleach (with a stronger bleach smell), we did the same as above and added in the end the entire 2.4 L jug mixed with 38 gal of water. There was no bleach smell at the taps, but a foul smell. We let the FW tank filled with that mixture sit for 24 hours. On day 3, we first opened the drain valve of the FW tank and noticed a bleach odor. When running the water pump, we noticed at the taps a slight bleach smell and the same foul odor smell.
The filter in front of the water pump is clear. We think that it is possible that a mouse may have crawled through the open drain valve into the FW tank. However, on day 3 we noticed that water drained through the drain valve has a bleach smell (without foul odor).
Has anyone thoughts what may cause the foul, "earthy" smell at the taps?

Thanks!

 

[HABBERDABBER]

Biological growth, algae, mildew, bacteria, viruses, et al.

See:

Biological Growth in Water - Fact Water

www.factwaterco.com

Biological Stability of Drinking Water: Controlling Factors, Methods, and Challenges - PMC

Biological stability of drinking water refers to the concept of providing consumers with drinking water of same microbial quality at the tap as produced at the water treatment facility. However, uncontrolled growth of bacteria can occur during ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[GinoandLinda]

This is why I don’t trust water from an RV freshwater tank or RV campground.

Woman, 71, killed by brain-eating amoeba after cleaning sinuses with water in Texas: CDC

The report says she developed severe neurologic symptoms, including fever, headache, and altered mental status. She died eight days after her symptoms began.

www.fox4news.com

 

[SRS]

While this situation is unfortunate, people who use a neti pot should read the instructions. Only distilled water should be used. Even when sanitized, we don't drink our RV water.

 

[occer]

We think of plastic as solid but it is not like glass and can absorb odder. You might want to try Pool bleach it is a higher concentration. Regular house hold bleach is 4 to 8%; pool bleach is 10 to 12%. There is also industrial bleach at over 12% but I would not recommend it. Use the pool bleach letting it soak for 24 hours and then flush the system a several times. Some people are more sensitive to odders. Hopefully that will help.

 

[Ron in BC]

On day 3, we first opened the drain valve of the FW tank and noticed a bleach odor. When running the water pump, we noticed at the taps a slight bleach smell and the same foul odor smell.

Has anyone thoughts what may cause the foul, "earthy" smell at the taps?

It sounds like you did a good job of blowing out the lines etc. I'm not sure what an earthy smell is like but in boats I've had hydrogen sulfide in the lines but I'm not sure that I'd call it an earthy smell.

You might try isolating the issue. Disconnect the "out" from the water pump. If you smell bleach but no other odor then the problem is in the lines, not the water tank.

Also, is the odor present from both the hot and cold water taps at all locations?

Ron

 

[DT6]

You might consider something like the Camco Tornado Rotary Tank Rinser (Amazon, RV Stores) to add some agitation.

We drink our RV water when sanitized and have never had a problem, but I would never use it to rinse my sinuses. For sinus rinse I always follow the manufacturer instructions and use distilled water only.

 

[occer]

Ron's question, "is the odor present from both the hot and cold water taps at all locations?"
Did the water heater get drained, when sanitizing, did it also get treated?

 

[JohnP-ESC]

Ron's question, "is the odor present from both the hot and cold water taps at all locations?"
Did the water heater get drained, when sanitizing, did it also get treated?

Thanks all for you responses. Yes, the odor is present from both hot and cold water taps.
The water heater was emptied before and put in bypass before winterizing/blowing out lines.
Before sanitizing the FW system we opened the bypass valve, so the water heater got sanitized as well.

 

[iamunique127]

I’ve never experienced an odour like you describe but I’m amazed at the amount of bleach you’ve run through your tank. We stopped using bleach for sanitizing the tank after the first time or two because the smell and taste lingered for so long.

I took to using Purogene for sanitizing the fresh water system and all chlorine taste and smell are gone. My wife commented recently that the water has never tasted as good as it does this year.

I also use Purogene to purify my potable water hoses at the beginning of each season.

 

[JohnP-ESC]

It sounds like you did a good job of blowing out the lines etc. I'm not sure what an earthy smell is like but in boats I've had hydrogen sulfide in the lines but I'm not sure that I'd call it an earthy smell.

You might try isolating the issue. Disconnect the "out" from the water pump. If you smell bleach but no other odor then the problem is in the lines, not the water tank.

Also, is the odor present from both the hot and cold water taps at all locations?

Ron

Thanks, Ron

Yes, the odor is present from both the hot and cold water taps.

 

[Jim Bennett]

I too have never had any odour like you mention. Depending on usage a sanitize the fresh water system at least once a year and often twice. I use about 1/2 cup as that is all that is needed. The amount you used is quite excessive. We use our tank for drinking water too and fill with a good potable or even filtered water.

 

[Thrak]

How many people actually drink the water from the fresh water tank? We have camped for many years across many US states and up through Canada and never had a problem drinking water from a campground faucet.

 

[Ron in BC]

How many people actually drink the water from the fresh water tank? We have camped for many years across many US states and up through Canada and never had a problem drinking water from a campground faucet.

Lots of folks say that they never drink water from their tank but they brush their teeth with tank water.

Water from a campground faucet is one thing, after its sat in a plastic tank for an indeterminate time etc. it can become something else.

We carry a few 1 gallon jugs of water for drinking. For me, tea seems to taste better if it's not made with tank water.

Ron

 

[GinoandLinda]

How many people actually drink the water from the fresh water tank? We have camped for many years across many US states and up through Canada and never had a problem drinking water from a campground faucet.

Nope. Don’t do it. Not even for teeth brushing

 

[Chamberman]

Using old bleach to decontaminate is a good way to end up with a filthy tank. The sodium hypochlorite in bleach tends to break down rather quickly depending on how you store it and the bleach essentially turns into salt water. I used to use a variety of liquid bleach and liquid pool shock (the same thing as laundry bleach just stronger) to shock a pool we used to own. Occasionally I would be running low so I'd grab the bleach bottle out of our laundry room and if it had been opened months earlier then many times it had little to no effect to the chlorine levels when adding it to the pool. So adding a 1/4 cup of 1yr old bleach that you grabbed from your laundry room may be getting you next to nothing as far as a tank disinfectant goes. Bleach is cheap so its worth it to buy a fresh bottle when you're ready to clean your water system.

 

[brroberts]

We use bleach to sanitize tank and water system. We also flush the system and then use tank water for everything.

 

[iamunique127]

Although we do drink the water from the fresh water tank we also carry a 5 gal. jug of water for coffee and tea.

I forgot to mention that when adding water to the fresh tank I run it through a Camco water filter attached to the trailer end of the hose.

 

[Ron in BC]

Nope. Don’t do it. Not even for teeth brushing

Been brushing my teeth with tank water since 1977. It hasn't got me yet.

Ron

 

[BravoDeltaRomeo]

After neglecting our last RV for years and not once cleaning the fresh water tank, I have taken to adding steps to ensure this one lasts decades.

I ordered some Purogen on amazon.ca (Canada) and just ran it through our water system in our E19. I will let it sit for an hour or 2 and then flush.

The sanitize instructions listed on the Amazon PDF and site PDF different. They recommended 10 oz per 30 gallon tank (seems excessive) on the site and 1 oz per 10 galow tank (so 3 oz) on the Amazon pic. I opted for the 3 oz. I'll continue to do it between trips and seasons, and our tank looks good (2021) with limited use, no smells or issues.

I'm going to add an in-line water filter for filling as well. Why not.

Thanks for the recommendation @iamunique127

https://a.co/d/7t6qt1U