Really stinky fresh water

[51Turbo]

Recently I camped at a National Park CG with my Reflection 260rd fiver. I filled the camper's fresh water tank as well as a few 5-gallon jugs at the community water spigot before setting up camp. The water in the jugs was just fine for drinking but the tank water was really nasty once it went through the water system! Like rotten eggs. I didn't even want to shower, I think I smelled better without showering! I read the owners manual and it blames that smell on the water source, but like I said, the pure water in the jugs was fine. Since I don't have running water or a dump station where I store the camper, I didn't sanitize it after de-winterizing, I just ran a bunch of fresh water through the lines the first time I camped. Would that be the problem? Should I use bleach? My previous camper was a really simple cheap unit and I never sanitized after de-winterizing and never had this problem (obviously I don't drink water from the camper system). Thanks for any hints. I drained the fresh tank before leaving that campground but didn't run out the lines.

[Nopeeking]

Yes, sanitize with bleach per your owner's manual.

Mike

[Najataagihe]

If the water in the cans is good and the same water stinks when coming through the trailer's water system, it is not a great leap of logic to conclude you need to sanitize your water system.

The sulpher smell is from a harmless bacteria that grows in water heaters that are allowed to sit, full, for extended periods of time.

You said you drained the fresh water tank, but not the lines.

I would guess you didn't drain the water heater, either.

(Shame, shame, shame! And, you need to drain it, now!)


The cheap-shot, right-now-while-we-are-camping solution is to drain the water heater, then run the hot water until the stink is gone.

It takes a lot of water so, if you are dry camping, that is not going to happen!


I don't have running water or a dump station at my storage area, either, so:

The day before the next time you head out, use your two five-gallon cans to put 10 gallons in the fresh water tank.

Mix in the right amount of Clorox in each can, then run each faucet until it smells of bleach and let the solution sit overnight.

DO NOT PUT CHLORINE IN YOUR WATER HEATER!!!

That's why there is a by-pass system for it.


Head out to your campground, the next day.

Bouncing down the road will slosh the solution all over the inside of the fresh water tank.


Before you get to the campground, dump the fresh water tank solution.

The chlorine is too diluted to do any more environmental damage than watering your lawn with chlorinated city water.


When you get set up, fill the tank with fresh water and run the faucets with the water pump, until they don't smell of chorine.

(You want to get the chlorine out of the water pump, too.)

Use an inline water filter, if you don't already have a filter on the supply line.


It is not that difficult and you don't have to "babysit" the sanitizing process.


Have fun and stay safe!

[Toy Haulen]

I add a small amount of bleach to the fresh water tank regularly to keep it fresh. We dont drink from fresh tank as we are not full timers. Have been doing this for years because of the heat in AZ.

[Najataagihe]

In Dixie, we have humidity and mold added to the problem!

Clorox is your friend...


Tip For The Day:

Put Clorox cleaning wipes on each shelf of the refrigerator, when storing it.

Failing that, pour Clorox on some washrags and leave them inside.

This will prevent mold from forming in closed refrigerators.


It is better to leave the doors open, but, sometimes, that is not practical.

Be sure to remove them, before using the refrigerator, again, or your food might "taste funny".

(The wipes and rags, not the doors...)

[JKellerJr]

The sulpher smell is from a harmless bacteria that grows in water heaters that are allowed to sit, full, for extended periods of time.

I usually leave my water heater full unless its going to be a real long time between trips. I have always had more issues with the smell if I drain it. My belief is since it never fully drains the air promotes the bacteria growth.

DO NOT PUT CHLORINE IN YOUR WATER HEATER!!!

That's why there is a by-pass system for it.

I always sanitize the water heater along with the water system.

[Hoopy Frood]

In Dixie, we have humidity and mold added to the problem!

Clorox is your friend...


Tip For The Day:

Put Clorox cleaning wipes on each shelf of the refrigerator, when storing it.

Failing that, pour Clorox on some washrags and leave them inside.

This will prevent mold from forming in closed refrigerators.


It is better to leave the doors open, but, sometimes, that is not practical.

Be sure to remove them, before using the refrigerator, again, or your food might "taste funny".

(The wipes and rags, not the doors...)

Isn't the chlorine in the fridge hard on the plastic and rubber parts?

[Najataagihe]

I always sanitize the water heater along with the water system.

Not a good idea.

Concentrated Chlorine and Aluminum do not play well, together.

Chlorine corrodes Aluminum with extreme gusto.

[Najataagihe]

Isn't the chlorine in the fridge hard on the plastic and rubber parts?

Not in the amounts in the wipes or the rags placed in an open glass or Tupperware container.

Pure Clorox, sprayed about, would be a problem.

[Hoopy Frood]

Just wondering because any chlorine gas will combine with water vapor and form sulfuric acid. Chlorox is a very reactive liquid. Personally I wouldn't do it. But JMO of course.

Edit: Geeze, a lot of good high school chemistry did me, water vapor and chlorine gas produce "hydrochloric acid", not sulfuric acid. Doh.