When not using for a few weeks - water tank full or empty or partial?

[SurreyNick]

This may seem like a daft question but when we're not using our motorhome for a few weeks should we empty our fresh water tank or leave it partially empty or fill it up completely? If it's completely drained can creepy crawlies get in via the overflow?

 

[BillyKontiki]

Leaving site or park up for home, drain fresh departing from home fill fresh unless going to a site, use tank water for cooking, washing up, and showers don’t drink tank water, only drink bottled water, wine, and beer.
Happy travels

 

[gpat]

Leaving site or park up for home, drain fresh departing from home fill fresh unless going to a site, use tank water for cooking, washing up, and showers don’t drink tank water, only drink bottled water, wine, and beer.
Happy travels

As a water scientist I think that sounds a sensible approach.

 

[Mixyblob]

Question.
Why does water thats been in, on and around the world for millions of years, need a "sell by" date when Tesco put in a bottle?

 

[gpat]

Question.
Why does water thats been in, on and around the world for millions of years, need a "sell by" date when Tesco put in a bottle?

It because the water in bottles is not sterile. Its disinfected. The difference is that disinfection is the killing of all harmful bacteria but not all bacteria

That means that bottled water will deteriorate over time.

It won't kill you if it's past its sell by date but it will be past its best. It will eventually start to taste earthy especially if notnstoted in a cool, dry and dark place.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Chockswahay]

We’ll team, I’m happy to continue keeping my tank topped up and drinking the water too

 

[Mixyblob]

It because the water in bottles is not sterile. Its disinfected. The difference is that disinfection is the killing of all harmful bacteria but not all bacteria

That means that bottled water will deteriorate over time.

It won't kill you if it's past its sell by date but it will be past its best. It will eventually start to taste earthy especially if notnstoted in a cool, dry and dark place.

That explains the taste of the week old water in my bidon since my last ride. Thanks

 

[gpat]

We’ll team, I’m happy to continue keeping my tank topped up and drinking the water too

Me too. Believe it or not.

 

[MattR]

That explains the taste of the week old water in my bidon since my last ride. Thanks

If you drank from your bidon a week ago, the contents will have had colonies of various oral flora and fauna growing in it. It would be worse if you had fruit cordial or energy drink in the solution.....

 

[MattR]

It because the water in bottles is not sterile. Its disinfected. The difference is that disinfection is the killing of all harmful bacteria but not all bacteria

That means that bottled water will deteriorate over time.

It won't kill you if it's past its sell by date but it will be past its best. It will eventually start to taste earthy especially if notnstoted in a cool, dry and dark place.

Bottled water will also leach out chemicals from the bottles.... The longer it is left, the worse it becomes. These chemicals can be nasty.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[gerry mcg]

It because the water in bottles is not sterile. Its disinfected. The difference is that disinfection is the killing of all harmful bacteria but not all bacteria

That means that bottled water will deteriorate over time.

It won't kill you if it's past its sell by date but it will be past its best. It will eventually start to taste earthy especially if notnstoted in a cool, dry and dark place.

Also plasticisers leach from the plastic bottle into the water.
Some of these have a very low taste threshold, which makes the water unpalatable to drink.
The longer the storage in the bottle, the greater the taint

 

[gpat]

Bottled water will also leach out chemicals from the bottles.... The longer it is left, the worse it becomes. These chemicals can be nasty.

That's true. It's a whole area of research. Microplastic particles and all thT. It also becomes more and more deoxygenated and flat tasting.

If you drank from your bidon a week ago, the contents will have had colonies of various oral flora and fauna growing in it. It would be worse if you had fruit cordial or energy drink in the solution.....

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

 

[ManTheVan]

Nope. Never used to drain the yacht tanks either, except when winterising. We had a new tank fitted and have used Aquasol liquid ever since, as we did on the boat. Tasteless and seems to zap any bugs that might be there. We also drink from the tank, fill water bottles to cool in the fridge and also make copious amounts of ice using it.

 

[Lenny HB]

So,when the chlorine in the water in the tank evaporates………where does it go? In the tank,maybe,or does it miraculously escape through the sealed tank??? I’m confused

If your tank was sealed it would collapse when you pump water out of it.

 

[Reallyretired]

I tend to leave a bit in the tank for the occasional bog flush while in storage. Drain and refill before travelling and while away just top up. Store is 18miles away and weak bladder so often need to use loo while visiting. Drain in winter of course.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Coolcats]

It’s chlorinated…… it’ll keep for weeks

Interesting if I leave water in the tank of my coffee machine it does start to “grow” stuff even though it is regularly cleaned. If I do not put chlorine in my hot tub regularly and ‘shock’ it once a week bio film grows in the pipes. So I am assuming dumping water from the fresh water tank if it’s not used is advisable.

 

[The Wino]

I always dump as I can see potential downsides from leaving it in but none to draining it other than the hassle of refilling

 

[DJT]

Drain itSimples!

 

[ManTheVan]

My experience with Aquasol is that it does a fine job of ensuring that the water remains clean and potable. Looking inside the tank confirms this. It’s as clean as a whistle. The yacht‘s was the same, although that was stainless steel and the MH’s is plastic. No tainting either.

I do drain down in winter, though, if we’re not using the MH and there’s a risk of a hard frost, more to protect the system.

 

[heliart]

We never drink from the fresh water tank, only use that for washing stuff. Carry seperate filtered water for drinking.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[MattR]

Interesting if I leave water in the tank of my coffee machine it does start to “grow” stuff even though it is regularly cleaned. If I do not put chlorine in my hot tub regularly and ‘shock’ it once a week bio film grows in the pipes. So I am assuming dumping water from the fresh water tank if it’s not used is advisable.

Your hot tub is a breeding ground for lots of bugs that feed on the skin and body oils released into the water; it needs regular dosing of chlorine to keep the microorganisms under control. Your mh water tank shouldn't have the same soup of detritus for microbes to feed on.

 

[Coolcats]

Your hot tub is a breeding ground for lots of bugs that feed on the skin and body oils released into the water; it needs regular dosing of chlorine to keep the microorganisms under control. Your mh water tank shouldn't have the same soup of detritus for microbes to feed on.

This is very true, but over time a fresh water tank unless cleaned will start collecting bacteria and then you have the issue so would I leave water in the tank for a week or two or just drain down and refill with fresh. I drain when not using the MoHo and fill with fresh water.

I am also interested in better water quality both at home and in the MoHo https://www.hymer.com/gb/en/technology-innovation/water-filter-clearliq

 

[Reallyretired]

That explains the taste of the week old water in my bidon since my last ride. Thanks

You shouldn't drink out of your bidet, even if it's not a week old.