Is sterilization necessary (1 Viewer)

themogs

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:helpsos: Hi there funsters,
Been told by an experienced motorhomer that it may be necessary to sterelize the drinking water in the tank.
We only drink the water for tea, and so it's boiled.
Anybody got any thoughts on this ??
 
Apr 27, 2008
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If the drinking water came out of a reputable tap, no need to sterilise it especially not if you're boiling it anyway. Many people drink the water straight out of their tank with no problem, as I have myself on occasion (prefer beer though).
Keep the water fresh though, don't fill it up and leave it standing for weeks. The chlorine etc in the water will kill off any bugs.
 

pappajohn

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as above :thumb:

if the water begins to smell or taste odd then sterilizing should clear it...otherwise dont bother, unless you have a delicate stomach

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Pikey Pete

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For drinking water I use a filter jug which is kept topped up and in the fridge.:Smile:


It also reduces furring in the kettle.:thumb:


Pete:Cool:
 

darklord

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If we dont use the MH for say, four weeks,...then I,ll just run some milton through, but its a personal thing. I drink whats in the tank, I put it there out of a tap, so its drinkable.

Just on ninteresting note, I saw a sign up in Halfords, informing you that it is wise to use screen wash in your washer bottle all year round to protect against legionairres disease:Eeek::Eeek::Eeek:..............methinks, someone is taking the pizz.:ROFLMAO:
 

Loujess

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We always empty the tank when we get home after a trip. If not going away for a couple of weeks, we just flush the tank through before filling again. Although you boil the water for tea, don't forget you might rinse with it when cleaning your teeth. I had a really bad tum when away in our first van. We hadn't thought about sterilising the tank and had no idea how long it had been standing before we bought it. ::bigsmile:

Ivy
 
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Just on ninteresting note, I saw a sign up in Halfords, informing you that it is wise to use screen wash in your washer bottle all year round to protect against legionairres disease:Eeek::Eeek::Eeek:..............methinks, someone is taking the pizz.:ROFLMAO:

I remember this being mentioned before...so did a search and found this from a couple of years ago:

BBC news site
 

Minxy

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If you do decide to sterilise it, do NOT use Milton as it can rot your stainless steel water tank not to mention your sink! :Doh:

We don't bother sterilising it, we don't leave any water in the tank unless we're away in it but we always empty it as soon as we get home and then give it a flush through before filling it just before departing. When we're away we don't bother unless we've had the water in for a few days and have the opportunity of getting some fresh, in which case we'll empty and refill, but if you use a fair bit of water that won't be an issue. The tank on our previous van was over 100 litre we didn't get through it all in a few days, hence our 'refreshing', but as our new van is only 66 litre we won't have to bother any more. :Smile:

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ourcampersbeentrashed

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If you drink the water from your tap at home take two large bottles with you just in case.

We do this just for our dog so she doesnt have a change in water type.

Unless you are going abroad most water in the uk is quite drinkable without sterilizing. If you are boiling water just for tea then there shouldnt be any problem.
 

ukbill

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even if the water was filled from my own tap i would not drink it you are more likely to get a contamination from your tank than the tap i always use it for boiling only
anyway never drink water fish make love in it yuk
 

Hocky54

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I always put sterilising tablets in the tank when I fill up, in Uk on the continent wher ever, old habit from camping days.


Julian :thumb:

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If we dont use the MH for say, four weeks,...then I,ll just run some milton through, but its a personal thing. I drink whats in the tank, I put it there out of a tap, so its drinkable.

Just on ninteresting note, I saw a sign up in Halfords, informing you that it is [HI]wise to use screen wash in your washer bottle all year [/HI]round to protect against legionairres disease:Eeek::Eeek::Eeek:..............methinks, someone is taking the pizz.:ROFLMAO:

While working on vehicles sometimes , i think --what is that terrible smell ?
like rotten eggs.
Tracked it down to people leaving the windscreen washer bottle full of tap water--it smells bad :Eeek:
If screenwash is added ,that stops it.:thumb:--
Don`t put it in your drinking water tank though as it will make your eyes water up :ROFLMAO:
 
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Chockswahay

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We used the 'Seagull' version of these on our boat..........Fantastic piece of kit:thumb:
 
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we find keeping the tank as near to full at all times keeps it clear we always let it overflow for a couple of minutes when filling every few weeks and weve not dropped dead yet only time its drained is for winter if were not using it for a while

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Loujess

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If you drink the water from your tap at home take two large bottles with you just in case.

We do this just for our dog so she doesnt have a change in water type.

Unless you are going abroad most water in the uk is quite drinkable without sterilizing. If you are boiling water just for tea then there shouldnt be any problem.

Waste of time with Ellie, she prefers a muddy puddle. :roflmto:

Ivy
 

jb0371old

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When we goy our new mh we sterilised the water tank as you never know what some people get up to, we used a product that had been made from orange zest or something, advised not use milton as it leaves a taste and can damage some metal parts. As for day to day use we just empty the tank when were finished wit it and then refill before we go away again.
 

Dubiousp

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Interesting conversation,

I suppose the thing we are really trying to prevent is the growth of things like Pseudomonas which most water supplies have a level of. The bacteria growth is enhanced by temperature and stagnation some of which is not entirely detectable by taste or smell.

Our domestic system is protected by chlorination and then by continual use so a simple good flush will help, if not left stored for long periods.

The process should start with a good draining practice ie make sure all the kinks in the hoses have no dribbles, taps have been opened to let air locks out. Apart from condensation then bacteria hasnt got an easy growth area.

On my van if stored for a long period I
1) Drain properly
2) Fill fully with tablet
3) Drain
4) Then refill letting it overflow

I also have a aquasource filter fitted only on cold sink tap which in it self takes taste and an element of bacteria out

A lot of its personal and Im sure lots of people will have views on what Ive said just flush well:thumb::thumb::thumb:

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sedge

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I dunno, Mogs.

However think you pre-empted the headline on Yahoo news today that vasectomies are down by 50% !
 

jonandshell

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Is sterilisation necessary?

For a known to be clean water tank, no.

For Jeremy Kyle's studio guests, definitely!:ROFLMAO:
 

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