Purifying water

Thanks for that Motherhen!

What I should have explained better in my post was that the water tank was drained as best we could before it was transported from UK to Oz, but things are never perfect. It would have got pretty warm on that voyage, and there may have been an algal buildup etc. So I was thinking that it might be wise to fill the tank, "hit it with a purifying chemical" for a while, then drain and refreshen it.

In actual fact, we normally drink from bottled water, except for tea and coffee which is boiled water from the tank, and of course washing up and washing us, so it's all a little overkill anyway!

Regards,
Bruiser!

I see Bruiser. Generally algae won't grow in the dark, but best bet is to make up a solution with a bit of household bleach or swimming pool chlorine and slosh it around the tank before draining and rinsing. If you can't easily remove the tank to do this, half fill it and go for a drive on a bumpy road.

Mh

"Algae won't grow in the dark"... you're right, and what's annoying me most is that I knew that!

Cheers Mh!

For chlorine disinfecting, a number of sources specify one part of chlorine bleach per thousand of water. Ie, 70 litre tank, 70ml of bleach. Premix the bleach with a bit of water, pour it in, fill the tank, run the pumps and taps until you can smell the chlorine then leave for 4 to 6 hours. Then drain and flush twice.

You can double the concentration of bleach and reduce the soak time to 1 to 2 hours.

Motherhen's advice to slosh it around is good.

There are other techniques, but the proponents of those usually have a product to sell.

Cheers

Frank

PS I believe it is better to store your van with full tanks. Less oxygen for the nasties to use and grow.

As Frank says too. As the water has come from overseas, and the tank may have been hot in transit, a wash and refill is a good idea for fresh tasting water.

Mh

I agree with CJ, I've always used Milton with good results, no aftertaste even from a new plastic tank I fitted.

rr