| Fresh water is one of those things that many | | | | find. There will be one for the hot and another for |
| people take for granted. If you are an RV owner, | | | | the cold water lines. This is the lowest point in the |
| be sure to keep your fresh water system | | | | water system. Open these and let the water |
| properly maintained and in good working order. | | | | drain out. Next, find the drain for the fresh water |
| Don't let a faulty fresh water system spoil your | | | | holding tank and release all of the water from it. |
| hard-earned vacation. | | | | At this point, turn the water pump on for a |
| Caring for an RV fresh water system doesn't | | | | moment to force any remaining water out. Be |
| need to be an intimidating process. In fact, it's | | | | sure to shut off the pump as soon as the water |
| easier than most people think. There are no | | | | stops draining. Close all of the drains. The majority |
| guarantees that any water system delivers | | | | of the water has now been drained from the |
| completely safe or pure water, but taking certain | | | | system. |
| precautions can keep your RV water safer and | | | | The next step in sanitizing your water system is |
| easier to use. Thanks to Mark Polk for his | | | | to take a quarter cup of household bleach for |
| contributions. | | | | every fifteen gallons of water that your fresh |
| Begin with a white, non-toxic drinking hose. Hoses | | | | water tank holds. Mix the bleach with water in a |
| not labeled "safe for drinking" can allow lead and | | | | one-gallon container and pour it into the fresh |
| other dangerous chemicals to get into the water. | | | | water holding tank. Next, fill the fresh water tank |
| Use the white non-toxic hose solely for hooking | | | | almost completely full of water. Turn the water |
| up to your water source. Take along a green or | | | | pump on, open all hot and cold faucets in your RV |
| black garden hose for all other flushing and filling | | | | and run the water until you smell the bleach at |
| tasks, like cleaning out holding tanks or washing | | | | each faucet. Close the faucets. If it's possible, pull |
| the RV. While the white drinking hose is not in | | | | the trailer or drive the RV to move the water |
| use, roll it up and connect the two ends together. | | | | around and assist in cleaning the entire tank. |
| This will keep dirt, contamination and other debris | | | | Once the tank has been filled with the |
| from getting in the hose. When you are ready to | | | | bleach-water combination, let it sit for at least 12 |
| use it again, run some clean water through the | | | | hours. Drain the entire system again, and then |
| hose as an added precaution before hooking it up | | | | re-fill the fresh water tank with potable water. |
| to the RV. | | | | Open all of the faucets and run the water until |
| The next step is to filter the incoming water with | | | | you no longer smell any bleach. It may be |
| a high quality filtration system. Water filters | | | | necessary to repeat this process to eliminate all |
| cannot purify the water completely, but they can | | | | signs of bleach from the water system. When |
| help to control and remove bacteria, lead and | | | | the smell of bleach is gone, it will be safe to use |
| other dangerous contaminants found in drinking | | | | your water system. |
| water. Hydrolife filters feature a filter media called | | | | Modern RVs are equipped with automatic |
| KDF that uses electrochemical oxidation-reduction | | | | pressure demand pumps, polyethylene fresh |
| to neutralize harmful chemicals and bacteria. The | | | | water storage tanks and polybutylene water lines. |
| hydrolife filter also uses carbon to reduce | | | | These systems were designed to operate at a |
| pesticides, fungicides and other organic | | | | certain maximum water pressure level, about 35 |
| contaminants. | | | | to 45 pounds per square inch. The on-board pump |
| There are two basic options for filtering your RV | | | | has a built-in pressure switch that shuts off |
| water system. An inline filter installs directly to the | | | | power to the pump when the pressure has been |
| water line that you drink from. The other, more | | | | reached. Most homes and RV parks have a city |
| preferable option is to filter all of the water going | | | | water connection to supply water. Often, the |
| into the RV. By doing so, you are protecting the | | | | pressure at these facilities exceeds 80 pounds per |
| entire water system, filtering the shower water | | | | square inch, and sometimes much more. |
| to help prevent any skin irritation. | | | | Take care, as this high-pressure can and will cause |
| Possibly the most important step is to keep your | | | | leaks to develop. |
| fresh water system sanitized. At an absolute | | | | For your peace of mind, invest in a simple water |
| minimum, the system should be sanitized every | | | | pressure regulator to use whenever you're using |
| spring when you take the RV out of storage. | | | | an outside water supply source. This device |
| Additionally, be sure to sanitize the fresh water | | | | controls the incoming water pressure to supply a |
| system any time you notice an odor. | | | | continuous and regulated 45 PSI maximum. The |
| To sanitize the fresh water system, begin by | | | | regulator is connected at the supply end of the |
| draining the water heater. Find the water heater in | | | | hose to protect the hose and the RV at the |
| the outside compartment of your RV. The drain | | | | same time. You can purchase a water pressure |
| plug, or petcock, is located in the bottom left | | | | regulator at your local RV supply store. |
| hand corner. Remove the plug and open the | | | | People enjoy the RV lifestyle because it offers |
| pressure relief valve on top of the water heater. | | | | freedom to travel with all the comforts of home. |
| CAUTION: NEVER drain the water heater when | | | | Make sure that your comfort includes a supply of |
| the water is hot or the tank is under pressure. | | | | clean drinking water wherever your travels might |
| Locate the lowest point where the water lines | | | | take you. |
| drain. Look carefully, as they can be difficult to | | | | |