Purifying water

G'day!

I have a 40 litre underslung tank for water to be used in cooking and potentially drinking. It has been dormant for 6 - 8 months. Back in the UK I had some tablets which I could add, 2 per 20 litres. I've looked at aquatabs here in Oz but they seem to be 1 per litre.

Can anyone offer me advice on what I could add to my first tankful in many months?

Regards,
BruiserTheEuroCrusier
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Reply By: Motherhen - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 18:25

Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 18:25
Hi Bruiser

Was it good water when it went in? Mine can sit in the tanks for years between trips. It is better protected than the water tank to the house, some of which can sit in there for years (depending on rainfall). Water purifiers are adding a chemical to what you drink to kill any resident harmful bacteria. You are then ingesting the chemical. Unless there is a know infestation of a bad bacteria, I know which i prefer.

Motherhen

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Follow Up By: BruiserTheEuroCrusier - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 18:37

Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 18:37
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!
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 18:46

Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 18:46
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
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Follow Up By: BruiserTheEuroCrusier - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 19:33

Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 19:33
"Algae won't grow in the dark"... you're right, and what's annoying me most is that I knew that!

Cheers Mh!
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Follow Up By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 19:35

Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 19:35
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.

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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 20:23

Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 20:23
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
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Reply By: CSeaJay - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 20:35

Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 20:35
Chlorine is pretty drastic
What about Milton baby bottle disinfectant
2 to 4 capfuls is all you need.

CJ
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Follow Up By: racinrob - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 21:40

Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 21:40
I agree with CJ, I've always used Milton with good results, no aftertaste even from a new plastic tank I fitted.

rr
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Reply By: Fishing Barb - Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 21:24

Thursday, Jun 23, 2011 at 21:24
try a large bottle of red cordial it kills bacteria in water davo
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Reply By: Member - Snoopy2 (NSW) - Friday, Jun 24, 2011 at 19:18

Friday, Jun 24, 2011 at 19:18
Hi Bruiser,

I use a packet of Aquafresh, available from boating stores, about once per year in my water tanks. Pour it in (powder) and fill the tank with clean water. Go for a drive and let it "sit" for an hour or so. Go for another drive then drain and refill. The packet says its safe to drink but it does have a slight taste.

Regards,

Snoopy
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