Can You Drink The Water From Your RV Tank? Guide To Clean Drinking Water in an RV

[@calledtojourney]

As full-timers, we sanitize our fresh tank about every 3 months, but we also use a reverse osmosis system under our kitchen counter to filter all our drinking water. This makes it taste delicious wherever we go in the country, and it makes the water even safer to drink. Win, win!

[@adventuresontheroad1969]

That's something I want to install on our rig, the RO system. Nice to see you say how much positive it actually does in your rig.

[@calledtojourney]

@@adventuresontheroad1969 It's one of the most critical 'upgrades' we made to our fifth wheel. Bad tasting water, let alone unsafe water, is not something we will live with if we have any choice in the matter.

[@adventuresontheroad1969]

@@calledtojourney I totally agree and now realize something so serious I hadn't taken seriously! Thank you for your feedback!

[@daveb.8692]

I hook my fresh water hoses to my outside shower when sanitizing. Fill them from the tank and then at the end I use the same bleach water to clean my awning. Crisp white every time.

[@mildredlackey1938]

Such good information Jason, besides sanitizing our tank we also had two inline filters ,it’s such a good idea to keep everything sanitary in the camper, thanks for all the good info,

[@RVMiles]

Very welcome!

[@Susansnewera]

Excellent water issue. Thanks

[@michaelr6219]

Great segment! One comment about sanitizing. You recommended filling the tank and lines with a bleach solution. EXCEPT the line to the toilets. This is not like winterizing. I know you know this, but for new RVer's, it helps to highlight. The bleach will destroy the enzymes in the black tank. Creating a whole new set of problems. Again, this is a great segment. I learned several things I will implement next season... once the rig has thawed out... gotta love Minnesota.

[@Jasonrcsd]

Good stuff Jas! I need to sanitize our fiver more. Now I'm going to start carrying a spray bottle with bleach/water. Cleaning your fresh water tank and lines should help prevent Legionella too.

[@harrygoodman6724]

We only use our RV for 30 nights a year, taking about 4 weekly trips between June 1 - October 30. We do sanitize at beginning of our season but duly noted that we should do an additional time mid-summer. We use a Clear Source 3-stage filter that we have mounted in our storage area next to the wet bay. So, regardless of city water, campground water, dumped in or siphoned in water, it is all filtered before going into the fresh tank or lines. But my wife also uses a Brita for drinking and ice cubes to be “triple safe”. It does have an initial cost of about $400 plus $70 per set of replacement filters annually. (Quarterly if full timing.) But we have never had an issue or sickness and are very confident in what we drink. Our freezer (residential refrigerator) can freeze enough cubes we never have to keep buying ice, so we recoup expense of filters that way. We have heard about UV filters to take the place of the Brita, and may install that someday.

[@ScottyDaum-o4x]

Anytime I see an RV Miles post in my feed I know it is going to be time well spent. You give great info and you kave improved over time. I appreciate it and keep em coming!

[@RVMiles]

Appreciate that so much!

[@kitesquid]

As full-timers we installed a 500 Gallon Per Day (GPD) whole house Reverse Osmosis (RO) system that fills up our freshwater tank. Because it fills the fresh water tank the bypass water goes down the drain only when we are on hookups 500 GPD equals 20 gallon per hour which will keep up with laundry!!!!! Our rig enables the RO system when the fresh tank gets down to 30%. Our water tastes the same no matter where we go and is so pure I don't have to dry our rig after washing which saves me hours of labor. We love how we don't feel slimey after a shower like a water softener does.

[@deltabravo1257]

This is a very useful video, Jason. Thanks! I've shared this video to about 7 different RV discussion groups I'm in, 5 of which I'm the admin for.

[@RVMiles]

@@deltabravo1257 very much appreciated! Thanks so much!

[@timf6916]

Yes we do, I use a 3 stage filters when we are hookup at RV Parks. And I do use e-trailer.

[@luminousveiws]

Theres a bit of chlorine in city water for the pipes and household tanks. The continuous rinsing effect and this chlorine is why most water systems are safe. We don't sanitize our houses! I've gone to a 2 stage method. A cheap dirt filter (like you showed) on all incoming water, and an under the sink, very good filter for cooking and drinking. I dont need to bath in drinking quality. Drinking small amounts of lesser quality water isn't dangerous. That's the real reason our garden hose use wasn't a problem.

[@jeremiiah1797]

We are full time - we always keep our pump on when set up - I have used the water for 3 years now. By keeping our water cycling, the city water is chlorinated, and we filter in coming water at 5 micron and follow up with .5 micron. Never had issues. We have sanitized our hoses, but have not sanitized our tanks since we started. Our 2 stage filter housings came from beech lane on amazon - very affordable.

[@Badgeweefixstuff]

Awesome video we filter every once of water that goes in the trailer. We have camco EVO FILTER Which works awesome. If we winterize I will bleach it after we fill it up. On average we bleach 3 times a year. It’s cheap. 🇨🇦🛠️🇨🇦🛠️🇨🇦

[@TonyBenton0728]

Of course I do. And we are full time. I have the Blu Technology three stage water filter and the.02 micro filter that came with the RV. And if it’s hard water I hook up the water softener in line.

[@billysprague6219]

I had no idea I was supposed to keep the inline type of filter in the fridge. Thanks for the heads up.

[@TheRoadSMITHS]

Same! We didn’t know that either! Also didn’t realize we were supposed to keep the end caps and use when the filter isn’t being used.

[@alexduplessie1015]

I have a Berkey at home that I initially used while full-timing on the road in my truck camper. I broke around $150 of Berkey filters no matter how I stored it hitting pot holes before I gave up on it as a solution. Eventually I got a Sawyer backpacking water filter, attached it to a large plastic bottle I poked a ventilation hole in, and would slow drip that into a gallon jug, effectively achieving the same thing as a Berkey and with a much smaller, bump resistant footprint minus the pharmaceutical filtering aspect.

[@Thomas-sp1pp]

GEAT INFORMATION, DO MORE LIKE THIS...

[@billfargo7911]

We use the inline Camco filter and our RV has a secondary larger filter before the pump, however we bring water specifically for drinking, ice and coffee in jugs. We keep a five gallon in the trailer and depending on the length of the trip more in the truck. The water comes from our home system which has a three stage Aquasauna system. Good advice on storing the filters though. I replace my inline 1-2 times per season, even though we’re not drinking the water out of it.

[@royireland1127]

I like to save this type of information in a manual in the camper, for those times I am not available to do the various tasks. So, I have made a modified transcript of your presentation and saved it for printout. I am a sort of irregular camper with varied rates of camper usage - not often enough usage to burn every step into my brain, hence the manual. It really helps. If anyone wants a copy of the disinfection process you have described, I can post it but would not do so without your permission (please use it with care, as I could have missed a step). Thanks for this information

[@oldengineer1519]

We don't drink or cook with the water in the trailer but it has nothing do with safety concerns it is strictly a taste issue. With all of the vinyl hose used in the plumbing we don't like the taste. We do use trailer water for brushing teeth, showers and dishes. For drinking and cooking we use bottled water. A 24/28 pack will last us a few weekend camping trips or around a week on the road. We also carry an iron reducing water filter for those campgrounds where the water has a lot of iron or sediment. We always sanitize the fresh water tank and plumbing at the beginning of the season. After that is depends upon how often we are camping. If it is more than week between trips I will go through a full sanitation before using the trailer. I use bleach to sanitize and even with a gravity feed I pour the bleach into the hose rather than use a funnel. One other thing I do is sanitize our water hose before sanitizing the trailer water system.While coiled I will add a stronger bleach solution, close the ends then slosh it around periodically for an hour or so. After the hour is up I flush the hose with fresh water before using it to fill the fresh water tank.

[@chadkoller7809]

I clean our freshwater tank every year and we drink out of the tank or camp ground. We are 52 & 54so let’s be serious we grew up drinking water out of hoses so we will be ok. Lol

[@cycleoflife7331]

So drinking lead or cadmium is ok

[@chadkoller7809]

@ we aren’t dead yet. My generation isn’t soft we grew up eating dirt lol

[@NianticRiverWoodcraftingChrisN]

Great common-sense video! Thank you!

[@josidasilva5515]

The best filter is a water distiller. Zero ppm, but consumes a lot of electricity. You can use the sun by placing a collector in the center of a basin covered with plastic; very slow and only works in hot climates. A 0.4 micron filter made no changes to 450 ppm faucet output. Car wash RO filters have no waste but cost a lot and last for short periods, you also get zero ppm.

[@lyfandeth]

Bleach can also damage aluminum and other plastics. Home brewing stores carry sodium bisulphite (?) which is what is used to sanitize brewing equipment. Safe for your tank and hoses.

[@RVMiles]

In this quantity though, it's not really a concern. It's about a 1000:1 ratio

[@tomedgar4375]

I add a cup of bleach or chlorine to a couple gallons of water before dumping it into my tank so a high concentration doesn’t hurt anything. Run this through the system, let it sit for a day, and then flush the system. Owned the Current rig for 20 years with no issues.

[@cris_miko]

Your channel is getting better and better! All great info here. I bought 3 gallon bottles for drinking and cookingto re-fill at bulk water dispensers and I use a rechargeable pump. These are easy to store in the shower and easy to move out when I need to. Keeping my onboard water as fresh and clean as I can but it would never taste good enough for me to drink.

[@RVMiles]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@jasonlarsen3515]

I plumbed mine using an Amazon water pump.

[@ord2mia]

Awesome and timely, we’ve been talking about purification options. Dang you’re concise

[@ernestdesimone2234]

I use the onboard water tank, but bleach it before use for drinking. (I don't use city water hookup at all; I fill my tank using a filter and then use it from there with the pump.) The bleach water runs through and sanitizes the whole system. For drinking, I then run that through a Brita-style water filter pitcher (the Target brand fits better in the door of our fridge). We do that for every two-week trip. For local trips, when the tank may have grown some bacteria in the interim, we drink from a separate orange plastic Gatorade cooler jug.

[@caniacstevehenderson7115]

Great information...have a safe weekend ❤❤❤❤❤

[@bertkelly7650]

I have a faucet filter by Pur for drinking water. Dog loves it. It lasts through my camping season. I also sanitize the tank and lines before each season.

[@betterwithrum]

100% didn't know about storing that in filter in a fridge. I guess we're getting a new filter next season.

[@Hemifan4266]

Jason, I use your system to sanitize my tank, the only thing I do differently is fill the tank with the bleach/water solution and let that sit in the tank for 3 or four hours until I push it through my lines. I figure that will give the tank a good hard cleaning as well. Also, I only use one hose for my fresh water, Never use the same hose to hook up the the black water flush valve. I am glad you talked about sanitizing the fresh water hose, I need to remember that.

[@adventuresontheroad1969]

Our North Point came with a main filter system in line with the set up along with me adding the hose filter as well. One day will install a RO system on this or the soon to be upgrade 5r. I do need to sanitize the tank though. I have no idea the last time it may have been done prior to use purchasing it 2 years ago for full time. Something I did last week is completely empty the H2O tank and refilled it for emergency while we are in a full hook up park for the winter.

[@Shopsktkolsc]

That was very informative. Thank you

[@JoeT.1960]

Your 100% right 👍👍

[@RVMiles]

Thanks for watching!

[@StiffArm_34]

Great video! Really appreciate the recommendation for the Berkey filter replacement. Been with them for over 15 years but their filters been failing this past year or so

[@lyfandeth]

You can also buy bleach in tablet or powder form. A little more expensive, but if you've ever had bulky heavy bleach bottles leak...the solid form is way easier to travel with.

[@normanfloristinc8187]

Thanks Jason, great video

[@chuckpotter1209]

Good and very useful info.

[@pnwrving9841]

Great advice!

[@RVMiles]

Appreciate it! Thanks for watching.

[@GoingNoWhereFast]

I see people with the spray bottle spraying the hose bibs frequently. However, Bleach mixed in water will only last about 36hrs. The bleach in its original bottle has stabilizers to keep if from degrading on the shelf. Before COVID bleach was tagged with its shelf life, usually 9months. Since COVID, they don't do that anymore. But bleach has a very finite shelf life when mixed with anything. Usually 24-36hrs.

[@nwil2003]

I use alcohol, not bleach to sanitize spigots. Spray, then wait 'til it evaporates before connecting the hose and operating the valve.

[@GoingNoWhereFast]

@@nwil2003 Vodka? OR maybe Southern Comfort?? Sounds like a great option!

[@nwil2003]

Oh heck no. That would be alcohol abuse! 😁

[@StevenOtto-cc1ep]

Also bleach needs dwell time to be effective. I also use alcohol

[@trustme7731]

1. Remember to add enough bleach to account for the water heater and all the lines. 2. When draining the water heater there is at least another quart to a quart and a half of water still in it that must be siphoned out. When filling it for use, flush some water through it. 3. Don't forget to do the shower hoses too. 4. When sanitizing, after the tank is filled drive it around to get the top of the tank wet with the bleach solution. When the tank is full, water typically does not touch the top of the tank. This can lead to mold and mildew the bleach solution won't touch. 5. Look to see where the water drains out of the tank. When draining, tip the RV towards the drain to get out as much water as possible.

[@DrBob64]

Bleach is not a good idea for hot water heaters. You can use 2 gallons of 30-40% vinegar put directly in the hot water heater through the drain outer. Place the vinegar higher than the tank, then add water till it comes out the P&T valve. Leave it overnight and drain and flush the water heater. This will remove lime buildup and sanitize the tank. Bypass the water heater and sanitize the rest of your system. This is the process taught through NRVTA to technicians.

[@dawnmason7111]

Thanks for the pro1 tip.

[@Al_and_Jen]

Great info!

[@rubikmonat6589]

Very timely, I have my water tank out to repair a mounting strap. I should install a drain valve. I have a drain bung covered in silicone sealant by the previous owner.

[@ThomasVanDorp]

Jason, what about using some sanitation tabs during the summer to keep the tank sanitized? And thanks for the great advice. Tom

[@Susansnewera]

I use brita when we land and hook up plus we use a campo filter at inlet

[@Alohasheree]

Very helpful 😊

[@alaska1girls]

Can someone explain to me how in a nation of people who drink bottled water from plastic bottles think drinking from a plastic tank is gross? Most don't know the dangers of drinking bottled water, e coli, bacteria, there have been dozens of recalls of bottled water its much less safe than a well maintained RV tank with a filter.

[@norm4907]

The big difference is our tanks are vented to the outside.

[@susanryan622]

People trust that professionals are monitoring and testing purity. Each bottle is filled and sealed in an assumedly sanitary environment. I assumed, in my new rv, my tanks were cleaned before I picked it up. I went on a factory tour were they bragged about how they tested every tank when the unit came off the line, which is a great thing! Unfortunately they used the same several hundred gallons in a plastic tank to test all their units. I have no idea how many years they have been using the same water. 😝

[@jasonlarsen3515]

I have two 7 gallon water totes that are ran through a dedicated filter to a water dispenser at my sink. I can fill totes at store water dispensers or if quality is good at campgrounds. I purchased the 12 volt pump and filter from Amazon. 2010 Tiffin 35QBA

[@armadilllo]

yep, I drink it. Proud to say I've never bought a bottle of water in my life. I don't have a filter either.

[@coconeedham24]

Great info but can’t seem to find filter or hose on your Amazon store

[@nofixedaddressrv3704]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the Aquva filter/UV light system

[@JamesMcGillis]

After four years, my city water started back-filling into my fresh water tank. Diagnosis: The vent hose was kinked and clogged with "gunk." I never trust campground water for drinking, whether it is filtered or not. I carry some bottled water for coffee, ice making, and a quick drink.

[@nomadicweatherbear]

We’re snobs so we drink and shower with Perrier water when we boondock. ❤😎👻

[@briangoodman717]

I managed transient public well water supply systems for years as one part of my last job. I realize that your presentation was directed at RV owners and not campground operators, but it could be useful to include some discussion of their requirements for supplying drinking water. Campgrounds that are connected to a large municipal water system are likely fine for consumption as that system is subject to stringent monitoring requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Municipal systems will have disinfection treatment for their distribution piping that will carry through to your RV system although it will not be the same disinfection concentration as the shock chlorination procedure of your RV system that you described. Campgrounds that are on their own water wells may have less stringent monitoring as they are seasonal and/or they are not enough users to require more stringent monitoring. Again, most of these systems are fine to consume from unless they have a recent violation history which has posting requirements at the point of consumption. Records of drinking water violations are public, but not always easy for a layman to locate and understand. These transient systems usually have a monthly bacterial and annual nitrate samples run though a certified lab. I have seen a lot of long-term residents at private campgrounds and hopefully these systems are being monitored more frequently than transient ones. Overall, I think you covered the subject very well. Keep up the good work.

[@RVMiles]

Thanks so much for that insight!

[@dondartt684]

Great video, keep the bleach out of the water heater.

[@RVMiles]

@@dondartt684 thanks! It’s ok to run it though the water heater too. Bacteria can grow there. It’s a 1000:1 ratio, it’s not going to harm it. Just make sure to flush like everything else.

[@RickandDarcirvadventures]

It surprises us how many people we see in Rv parks that don’t have a water filter or surge protector. I am not sure if they know what is in the water or electrical problems in the park or they just don’t care.

[@IamSpectre2020]

We are a bit anal on water filtration but I would not change it. Water that goes into the tank, we first have the hose connected to an inline filter as you displayed and that connects to another small hose that connect to a second hard mounted much like the EVO filter and that fill our tank 45 gal. Out of 45 Gal tank we have split the outlet, one goes our house water pump that feeds all the outlets. The second outlet goes to another pump that has 65 gph (12v) and supplies our 5 stage RO unit which keeps our small 10 gal tang with a separate faucet and with 10 gallons always on hand we use it for all our drinking and cooking, The faucet is great for hand cleaning, dish washing and showers. Winterizing isn't that bad we just remove all 5 filers from the RO unit, empty the tank and lines. We would not change anything.

[@KathrineSmith-t1v]

I’m a full timer. I’ve been using my fresh water tank most of the time. So because I’m putting water in the tank at least every 2 weeks do I still need to sanitize as often especially since I’m not in a hot humid environment.

[@ScubaSteveCanada]

3% Hydrogen Peroxide can also be used in place of bleach; you just need to use more of it (2.5 cups per 15 gallons), plus it can go into a water heater tank whereas bleach shouldn't. I've also used concentrated bleach crystals (Sodium DiChlor) used in pools (even less is required). Then I would use a Berkee filter. Now I just carry jugs of drinking water that can be refilled at a machine and use the Berkee as an emergency filter.

[@davidnestico932]

When sanitizing your RV, be sure to bypass your water heater. Otherwise you may corrode your water heater

[@xmavrick]

I noticed that step about the hot water tank was missed, thanks for mentioning it.

[@__WJK__]

Interesting, would that small/limited amount of diluted bleach actually corrode a water heater(?)

[@calledtojourney]

This is true when it comes to winterizing a water heater with a tank, but the low concentration of bleach over a fairly short period of time (hours) won't harm a water heater. You don't want nasties growing in there!

[@xmavrick]

@ if you use vinegar to descale your water heater a couple of times a year nothing will grow in the tank. Maintaining your water heater will ensure many years of trouble free appliance life.

[@Robnord1]

Not true. Why spread false information? The bleach solution is weak and then it is rinsed out afterward. Harmless to steel, aluminum, and even to tankless water heaters. 26 year certified RV tech

[@scottlatimer7912]

How about UV steralizers. Seems like that content would be a good fit for this video?

[@stevesanders2972]

Chlorine (bleach) will sanitize in 20 minutes. A few hours doesn't hurt, but it's overkill. If there's residual chlorine (you can still smell it) after 20 minutes, it's fine.

[@do.it.better]

Do you have any thoughts about using a portable water softener?

[@RVMiles]

I've never used one, but I know some people do. There can definitely be places on the road with hard water. I would probably just use it when needed.

[@do.it.better]

@ Thank you for your response. We heard never used one either but a friend of ours who camps tells us that using a softener as a ‘pre filter’ removes much of the metal and will all the filter to last longer. Not sure if that is true..but just one campers opinion. Again, thank you for your response.

[@janehargis9301]

We will be getting our first RV in about 3 months. My concern comes from a newbie perspective. If I purchase a 3 part filtration system that connects to the hose outside what is the likelihood of it being stolen when we are out and about? Is there anything you know of that can help mitigate this possibility? I’ve learned quite a lot from you. Thank you very much!

[@RVMiles]

Pretty slim, you're more likely to have something that can be quickly pawned stolen. But one thing you can do is get a long bike cable and connect everything outside that you want to lock up. They make really long ones.

[@amidala3927]

We discovered biofilm in our fresh tank after removing our RV from storage. The low point on our tank isn't actually at its lowest point so it's impossible to fully drain it for storage. Any resources on how to ensure the film is gone, or should we replace the whole tank? We've done multiple rounds of bleaching and rinsing.

[@turnbullstravels735]

Jason, if you are full time, do you think the tank and lines need sanitizing to the same extent?

[@RVMiles]

@@turnbullstravels735 it’s usually recommended that full timers do every 3 months

[@grumpy039]

I've been owning RV's since 1984. Yes, I drink the water and brush my teeth with the fresh tank water. So far, no problems. I have an RVIA question: How is it a company who is supposedly looking out for the RV community thinks it's ok to have the escape window right above the coaches fuel fill cap? Several years ago, I saw a diesel motorhome catch on fire and burn up. When the fire got to the fuel fill area, it looked like a blow Torch. If you were using the exit window, then you would definitely roast your weiner.

[@charlesperry1051]

I have travelled all over the world, a lot of it to countries with horrible water. Showering with bad water? Not a bother. Just don't get it in your mouth. That being said, in the US I feel pretty safe with any municipal water.

[@Ceerix]

I am using a filter when I refill the freshwater tank, I am not drinking the water from the freshwater tank. I buy bottle water for drinking. I am using the water from the freshwater tank for shower, washing, cleaning and cooking food and coffee.

[@rd4660]

At 3:15 there's a photo of a water inlet only inches from a 30 amp power inlet. Who the hell designed that? Extremely dangerous!!!

[@shane7969]

the pro one filter doesnt take out anything but asthetics like odor and taste according to their own website. they provide a link to the NSF ANSI 42 CERT.

[@RVMiles]

From their website: "Independently lab tested for performance in the reduction of over 200+ contaminants including heavy metals, fluoride, pesticides, herbicides, chlorine, chloramines, pharmaceuticals and more"

[@shane7969]

@@RVMiles thats the sales pitch click on the link they provide and the CERT is clearly Asthetics. it doesnt remove bacteria. its about pore size. .05 micron is whats needed. they say it does not remove TDS or Bacteria

[@toddincabo]

👍

[@hoosit4]

reverse Osmosis under the sink is the way to go. All the waste water list really not that much. I never filter water going into the tank or RV. All other filter systems is a waste of time and money. Been setup like this for over three years.

[@Thesaltymedic36]

FINE 🙄 I’ll go sanitize my tank 😂

[@Thesaltymedic36]

Ok bleach in. I’ll flush it in the morning 😊

[@sherriweber7105]

Thank you Jason! That was great tips on your filters and water in the Rv. I wouldn’t drink the water at an Rv park. We have a reverse osmosis in our house. I would use a what you have or a Bernie in an Rv. Thank you Jason for this video.

[@utsandstone]

I use an enviro 10 stage sink top filter. Takes out arsenic too but not fluoride. RO Water has no minerals. Good tasting? not.

[@brucewallace3860]

As a former backpacker, I can tell you that giradia is a very real and very painful thing! We utilize the re-fillable jugs for drinking, filter our water (at hose and sink) for everything else. My best remedy for keeping the hose clean: Keep it dry inside and replace it now and again (I do so every other year). Not full-timers and never leave water in the tank - rarely travel with water in the tank.

[@frankmitzen2008]

I've drank water from a drainage ditch so the hose or RV tank isn't a big deal for me

[@crankshaft007]

I would recommend watching a water purification channel then the advice given in this video. Many of this advice is not correct especially when we are talking about forever chemicals. Many of the stainless gravity filters are gimmicks definitely recommend a KZbin water purification channel that has sen tin samples

[@ethelz2cents]

Copper coins?

[@jerrygundrum1]

first in most folks don't maintain the system correctly and a filter doesn't fix it.

[@TonyBenton0728]

You know most folks?

[@RVMiles]

Yeah, they're often way more worried about what's coming in from the spigot than what is happening inside the RV.

[@tomlambert1833]

Why take on water if you don't intend to use it.. Just don't out that weasel piss wintering antifreeze in your tank to start with, it's totally unnecessary..

[@cycleoflife7331]

How about sanitizing your tank every time you replace your three or four filters in your filtration system. I have four filters from20 microns to .5 microns to remove viruses and bacteria. The filters are good for 6 months.