Sanitizing water system

[sequoyausa]

What is the ratio of bleach to water in sanitizing the water system? Also, what is the process for doing this? Do you put the solution through the white water hose or pour it straight in to the tank? Thanks for your input!

[jclark]

Here are the steps recommended by Coleman:

1. Mix 1/4 cup bleach with 1 gal of water
2. Pour solution into on-board water tank and fill remainder of tank with fresh water (I use a small hand pump to pump the solution into the fill line)
3. Pump water up to faucets, etc. and let stand for 3 hours
4. Drain tank and lines and flush with fresh water

Good luck!

[wynot]

Here are the steps recommended by Coleman:
 
1. Mix 1/4 cup bleach with 1 gal of water
2. Pour solution into on-board water tank and fill remainder of tank with fresh water (I use a small hand pump to pump the solution into the fill line)
3. Pump water up to faucets, etc. and let stand for 3 hours
4. Drain tank and lines and flush with fresh water
 
Good luck!

We put several (five?) gallons of water in with the appropriate amount of bleach, and let it swish back and forth as we go home, and drain it at the house.

[dthurk]

I think I remember the ratio is 1/4 cup of bleach to each 10 gallons of water.  If you have a 10 gallon tank, mix 1/4 cup with one gallon of water.  Pour that into your tank, finish by filling the tank.  Open each water valve until you smell bleach.  Let sit for 3 hours.  Flush.  

If you have a 20 gallon tank, mix 1/2 cup with one gallon.  
If you have a 30 gallon tank, mix 3/4 cup with one gallon....

[mountainrev]

I just sanitized my Viking water tank.  The manual calls for 1/4 cup diluted with 8 gallons of water, and let sit for a couple of hours before flushing.  After I did this, my wife said, "You probably only needed two tablespoons of bleach, but 1/4 cup won't hurt."  

I don't know if she was right, but the water definitely had a bleachy taste, even after flushing for a long time.  At least I'm sure all the little microbes are dead!