As you prepare the motorhome for another season of summer travel, take the time to thoroughly sanitize the fresh water tank. Start by draining all antifreeze used to winterize the motorhome water system by draining the tank and flushing fresh water to all the faucets.

Mix a chlorine bleach solution of ¼ cup bleach containing 5.25% chlorine content to one-gallon of fresh water. Too high of a bleach concentrate in the disinfecting solution will require more time and water to treat the tank. If the chlorine rating of the bleach is higher than 5.25%, add more water to adjust the water to bleach ratio. Add a gallon of the disinfecting solution to every 15 gallons of holding tank capacity, and allow the solution to sit in the tank overnight.

Drain the fresh water tank of the disinfecting solution and refill the tank with fresh water. Inspect the water at a faucet to determine if there is a strong scent of bleach. If so, it may be necessary to once more drain and fill the fresh water tank with clear water. Use the disinfecting solution to sterilize the fresh water tank each month while the motorhome is in use, and more often if you have filled the tank using an inferior water source. Before running disinfectant through the system, remove the water filter cartridges.

Designate a potable hose only for use in filling the fresh water tank. Store the hose with both ends connected to prevent the intrusion of dirt or insects. Wipe the outside of the hose to remove dust and grime. Keep a pair of pliers handy during fresh water hook up in the event a handle is broken at the faucet.

Protect your fresh water supplies only using a good clean source when filling the tank. Test the water for cleanliness. Water that contains an odd taste, smells bad or appears cloudy most likely has a high mineral content that can add unnecessary contamination to the RV water system. Beware of fresh water faucets located near to an RV sewer dump. Inexperienced motorhome operators may use these faucets to rinse a sewer hose.

Change water filters regularly. To protect yourself and your pets against exposure to unknown bacteria in water, use bottled water for drinking purposes. If the water pump runs when faucets are not engaged, this may indicate the presence of a leak. Have all leaks promptly repaired. Even a small dribble at a faucet can quickly exhaust fresh water supplies while dry camping.

When dry camping, fill up the water heater tank before filling the fresh water tank to prevent a large draw on the fresh water supplies when you reach the destination. Use water conservatively and closely monitor reserves in the tank. If your RV includes a gravity fill, make sure there is room in the gray and black holding tanks to accommodate any additional fresh water you may wish to add before dumping the tanks.