Fresh Water Tank - Water Smells Bad

[lagman]

I sanitized our fresh water tank before our first trip in early June, then after camping, drained the tank using the low point drains (one for each tank), and also pulled both of the drains in the back by the water heater and opened the drain on the water heater. I left all the drains open for the last month. I assumed this would have completely drained all of the water in the fresh water tanks, water heater, and drain lines.

We just got back from our second trip. The first 3 campgrounds had full hookups so I didn't need to fill up and use the fresh water tank until the 4th, which only had 30A electric. I immediately noticed the "rotten egg" smell when using the fresh water tank with the pump.

Is there something else I should have done after our first camping trip to ensure all the water is out? Should I have sanitized the tank again before our second trip since it had been a month between trips?

Thanks,
Dan

[David472]

By your description, you did everything right when sanitizing.
Maybe the CG where you filled up, had a some sulfur in their well water?
I would try filling, then dumping from a known good water source,
then sanitize. Let it soak for 4 hours. I use 2 cups of bleach into the 80 gallon tank.

[Doug]

When I use my fresh water tank, I can't get every drop of water out.
I usually dump a 1/2 cup of chlorine in the fresh water tank to keep any residual water from growing algae etc.
Then before my next trip, I do a quick rinse of the fresh water tank and go.

JMHO

Doug

[clubhouse]

Originally Posted by David472

By your description, you did everything right when sanitizing.
Maybe the CG where you filled up, had a some sulfur in their well water?
I would try filling, then dumping from a known good water source,
then sanitize. Let it soak for 4 hours. I use 2 cups of bleach into the 80 gallon tank.

X2

Around here lots of te rural wells get water that smells like sulpher. I am assuming that you probably got water that smelled, not something that was created in your holding tanks

[lagman]

Originally Posted by clubhouse

X2

Around here lots of te rural wells get water that smells like sulpher. I am assuming that you probably got water that smelled, not something that was created in your holding tanks

I think you may have nailed it.. A quick Internet search revealed 4 reviews about the strong sulfur smell in the water at that state park.

So now my question is, since it isn't bacteria causing the smell, should I still sanitize the tanks? Since I've dumped the smelly water, will the smell still be there the next time I fill up?

Thanks,
Dan

[clubhouse]

I doubt there will be residual smell. Santizing is not a bad idea however. If you have time, run a bleach solution thought the system.