SECTION 7 –
PLUMBING
7-4
This procedure is also recommended before
long periods of storage such as over winter.
1. Prepare a chlorine solution using 1 gallon of
water and 1/4 cup of household chlorine
bleach (sodium hypochlorite solution). With
tank empty, pour chlorine solution into the
tank through the gravity fill port.
Use 1 gallon solution for each 15 gallons of
tank capacity. This procedure will result in a
residual chlorine concentration of 50 ppm in
the water system.
NOTE: If a 100 ppm concentration is desired,
use 1/2 cup of household bleach with 1
gallon of water to prepare the chlorine
solution. One gallon of this solution
should be used for each 15 gallons of
tank capacity.
2. Complete filling of tank with fresh water.
3. Open each faucet in the motorhome and run
the water until a distinct odor of chlorine can
be detected in the water discharged. Do not
forget the hot water faucets.
4. Let the system stand at least 4 hours when
disinfecting with 50 ppm residual chlorine.
(If
a shorter time period is desired, then a 100
ppm chlorine concentration should be
allowed to stand in the system for at least 1
hour.)
5. Drain the water tank and refill with fresh
water.
6. Open each faucet again and run fresh water to
flush chlorinated water from the lines. Run the
water until there is no odor of chlorine
detected in the water discharged. Do not
forget the hot water faucets.
(
You may need to leave a hot water faucet
open for some time to flush the water heater
with clean water. You may also want to turn
the water heater off until this is done to avoid
wasting energy trying to heat “unused”
water
).
7. Water system is now disinfected.
Continuous Tank Disinfection
(Superchlorination)
Some RVers like to ensure continuous
sanitation of their fresh water tank by
“superchlorination”– maintaining an effective
low level of chlorine in the tank at all times.
•
Add 1 teaspoon of household chlorine bleach
(sodium hypochlorite) to your tank for each
10 gallons of tank capacity. When you fill the
tank, this will result in a 6.7 ppm level of
chlorine, which should kill harmful bacteria
and slime-forming organisms.
•
Chlorine may be removed from drinking
water by the cold water filter at the galley
faucet (if equipped) or by installing an
activated carbon water purifier at the galley
sink cold water line or a separate drinking
water faucet with filter.
•
Superchlorination does not affect city water
usage, only the fresh water tank.
SHOWER HOSE VACUUM
BREAKER
After using the shower, you may notice water
dripping from the shower faucet assembly. The
dripping results when vacuum in the shower hose
(after closing the shower faucet) slowly releases
and allows water remaining in the hose to drain
down. This is a normal function of the shower
valve assembly and is not a leak or defect.
If items are placed into the shower tub before
shower valve vacuum release is complete, they
may become wet.
WARNING
Chlorine is poisonous. Do not misuse.
Recap bottle and clean all utensils after
use.
