Storing water containers

I have never really understood why people worry about water in their camper tanks.
We have lived with only tank water at home & never worry about draining or flushing them, sometimes it can go for very long periods with no rain & there is never any discernible difference in water quality.

I would only drain my camper tanks if I filled one of them from a questionable source, like a bore or river etc.

SDG
I do not know the scientific facts behind this. But what we do and why we do it is:
We fill our tanks to the brim when arriving home. That way there is no (or very little) air (contibute to algae) and the town water do contain some chlorine as well.
Before we start packing for the next trip, I take the van around the block to just unsettle anything that may have settled in the tanks (hopefully little more than dust) and drain the water onto my lawn and garden beds. Fill up with fresh water and whaLa!
Maybe it is over the top but it gives me ease of mind and no water is wasted.
CJ

I am with Shaker,

I also live on tank water. I have only drained, then refilled my van tank before the last 2 trips away. Prior to that I never worried about it, I merely topped the tanks up before taking off.

You can fit a filter system between your tanks and the sink tap which will filter out most things. Dodgy water supplies won't be much of a problem if you do filter it. You only need to be concerned about the tap you get your drinking water from. A simple under sink charcoal filter will suffice I believe.

Cheers, Bruce

Bacteria can grow in RV water tanks if the conditions are right - as I understand it, you only need a tiny bit of nutrient in the water, plus heat and oxygen to start it off.... odours are just one aspect of the problem. I simply fill all the van tanks when I get home, to exclude the air: I then drain and fill at the start of the next trip. Our usually abominable Adelaide water* is treated to an extent that nothing will grow in it - perfect !
*Even for those that can't live in Adelaide (disappointing for you, I know) your own treated mains water might still be the best for the job.

I empty the CT tanks to make it easier to manhandle the unit into its spot in the drive.

Occasionally I sterilise them with Miltons.

The general rule is when you have filled your tanks with water which has not been treated with colrine empty them and refile with treated water this will kill the bugs you may have picked up with untreated water
Terry