Fresh water tank sterilisation

[Landy Andy]

(Only just spotted this July post).
All the cold taps at the sinks, baths, showers and loo of my two upstairs bathrooms in my 1896 house are fed from the open galvanised steel cold water storage tank in my loft. As far as I can see all the plumbing except the showers is original .

Most are so that the hot and cold supplies are balanced, as they will have the same amount of pressure.

 

[gpat]

Have you been listining about Donald Trump's covid cure

Haha. Yes. I've been on it for weeks. But seriously all the products are just sodium hypochlorite which is good old fashioned bleach. NOT thick bleach.

Calculation is

Amount of chlorine required 10mg/l for 24 hrs

That's 1000 mg for a 100 litre tank
That's 1g
Tesco thin bleach is 1% available chlorine so that's 1g/100mls so 10g

So 10mls in your tank. Soak for 24hrs. Run some thru the taps

Then empty tank and use. No need to rinse or flush. Simples

 

[bexleyjohn]

After every trip I drain down the system (including hot water). Before filling for next trip I run the water through the hose for a couple of mins to clear any “old water” then half fill the tank. I then add recommended dosage of Ensil (by Elsan) then fill the tank. (Yes I go away with a full tank!).
I drink cold water directly from the tank and it’s been fine. No nasty tastes, no tummy problems and no smells from the tank. Have always done it this way both home and abroad.

 

[gpat]

That sounds sensible

I'm not going to comment on the full tank though and start that discussion again.....DOH!

 

[Snapper]

Had motorhomes/campervans for over 50 years and never had a problem with water from the fresh water tank. Never used Puriclean etc and we are still going strong. Don't put anything in the tanks at home either.

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[Redken]

I used to work in the food industry where citric acid was used and it was very corrosive, I wouldn’t put it anywhere near my van.

 

[gpat]

I used to work in the food industry where citric acid was used and it was very corrosive, I wouldn’t put it anywhere near my van.

I don't get that. Citric acid is not a disinfectant. I can only imagine they used it to remove the brown staining

Its actually not very corrosive at all (I still wouldn't have it near my van though). Its a weak acid but its good for removing deposition and is commonly used in the food (and water) industry as a cleaner and also because its not toxic.

 

[beachwomble]

From all the different systems I have seen online this https://www.tank-o3.nl/en is what I would fit. They are some great reviews about it.

 

[peterc10]

Most are so that the hot and cold supplies are balanced, as they will have the same amount of pressure.

The kitchen sink cold supply should always be direct from the mains.

 

[gpat]

The kitchen sink cold supply should always be direct from the mains.

Yes it should otherwise it is a breach of the Water Bylaws which are.......law

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[Richard J]

Just a reminder; a sterilising concentration of bleach and stainless steel don’t mix well. Your boiler may have a stainless steel liner. If bleach is used to clean water tanks it will need a very good flush through soon after, or avoid any going through the hot water pipes.

 

[gpat]

Just a reminder; a sterilising concentration of bleach and stainless steel don’t mix well. Your boiler may have a stainless steel liner. If bleach is used to clean water tanks it will need a very good flush through soon after, or avoid any going through the hot water pipes.

Agree in principle. Long immersion with strong bleach is not good for stainless steel. Chlorine is a strong oxidising agent.

However chlorine at just 10mg// will not cause any issues at all and is most likely to be much less harmful to stainless steel than aftermarket sterilising agents.

That's why I advise such a small dose. Bacteria and viruses have no resistance to even tiny amounts of chlorine. That's why we rarely get any illness from drinking water from drinking water tap.

 

[sweetie]

Yes it should otherwise it is a breach of the Water Bylaws which are.......law

How do you get on if your water comes from from a borehole then as a lot of remote properties do and water is fed into a holding tank.

 

[gpat]

How do you get on if your water comes from from a borehole then as a lot of remote properties do and water is fed into a holding tank.

Who owns and operates the holding tank?

 

[sweetie]

The home owner ours was a 250 gallon one in roof space

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[gpat]

The home owner

The water bylaws only applies to water supplied by your water company and apply in the property itself.

A holding tank constitutes a reservoir and if it's a private supply it is covered by different regulations and controlled by your local environmental health departments.

Theres nothing wrong with a holding tank so long as it maintained and clean.....AND DOES NOT LEAK

 

[gpat]

The home owner ours was a 250 gallon one in roof space

Not good for water hygiene but if the tank is clean it can be ok for years. No different to a motorhome water tank I guess

 

[EzeeRider]

Not good for water hygiene but if the tank is clean it can be ok for years. No different to a motorhome water tank I guess

and that is why I don't bother sterilising motorhome water tanks. I just don't use them for drinking water but top up a jug with fresh tap water as necessary. never had any problems yet.

 

[gpat]

and that is why I don't bother sterilising motorhome water tanks. I just don't use them for drinking water but top up a jug with fresh tap water as necessary. never had any problems yet.

Me too. Added to this I don't like the taste of my morning cuppa when it has come from a plastic tank

 

[EzeeRider]

In spite of claims made by sterilising solution manufacturers, I would rather not risk damaging the water system.
ezee

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[Wabs]

I always use some Elsil,,just as a guarantee,

 

[EuroTrotters]

Each to their own I say, I always drink from the tap. I flush it through once a year with Citric acid granules food grade and never had a problem but there are very diverse opinions on here so stand back and wait

Never thought of citric acid. I have some in the workshop for engine flushing !

 

[peterc10]

Never thought of citric acid. I have some in the workshop for engine flushing !

Note the words "food grade"

 

[EuroTrotters]

Note the words "food grade"

It is

 

[Dazza 6863]

Another one here recommends Puriclen.

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[gpat]

Note the words "food grade"

Food grade citric acid is still citric acid. Food grade only means that it is pure and doesn't leave a residue that is harmful or will cause a taste. It's a bad idea to use it in your clean water tank. This is for 2 reasons.

1 it's corrosive
2 It's not a disinfectant.

It's used in the water industry to remove deposition and staining and in trained hands is a good product.

Chlorine is the most effective disinfectant. That's why 99.9% of the world's water suppliers use it.

 

[Steve L]

Have used Puriclean twice each year for the last 20yrs.

 

[OldWomble]

After reading this thread I find myself wondering how, after 45 yrs of camping & motorhomeing, i ever have managed to survive for 70+ years!

 

[Swifter]

After reading this thread I find myself wondering how, after 45 yrs of camping & motorhomeing, i ever have managed to survive for 70+ years!

I hope you use a blue food grade hose . I’ve been told those yellow garden ones can cause instant poisoning

 

[gpat]

After reading this thread I find myself wondering how, after 45 yrs of camping & motorhomeing, i ever have managed to survive for 70+ years!

That's a good point. I have given advice on here about it, that's because it's my day job. However I have never sterilised my own tank and like you I am here to tell the tale

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