How To Clean A Water Tank In A Camper

The best way to keep your motorhome or caravan's water tank clean.

January, 2 2018 | Update: 07/10/2021

A clean water tank is indispensable when you are on the road with your camper or caravan. You want to be able to wash your hands or rinse a plate quickly and get back on your way. Even though drinking water from the tank is not recommended, it is still very important that you not only change the water regularly, but also clean the tank and the water pipes properly. This prevents all kinds of nasty bacteria. We asked water expert Geert de Bekker to tell us exactly how to clean a water tank.

Bacteria in the water tank

The water quality in your caravan or motorhome's water tank can deteriorate rapidly. High summer temperatures are often the culprit, allowing harmful bacteria and fungi to develop. Because the water is stagnant in an enclosed space, bacteria have free rein to multiply rapidly. They nestle against the inner wall of the tank and in the water pipes. If you don't clean the water tank and pipes regularly, you will have a higher chance of legionella and other bacteria in your water.
Even if you don't drink the water, you could still become infected with these bacteria. When showering for example, or when rinsing fruit and vegetables, or because you inhale the water as vapour. This does not have to mean that you will get sick, but the chance exists, especially for people with a weak immune system. These people have a greater risk of complications with certain bacteria. A clean tank and clean water prevent these kinds of dangerous bacteria from developing.

Water tank

How often should you clean the water tank?

Running the taps every few days and regularly filling the tank with fresh water is not enough. Especially when camping in the heat of Southern Europe. For proper maintenance of the water tank, there are several ways to 'disinfect' water. That's a good first step, but it won't clean your water tank. You know that slippery layer on the inside of pipes or your shower drain? That's biofilm. Biofilm and other bacteria stick to the edges and you can't get rid of them just by rinsing. You should thoroughly clean your water tank at least twice a year. Before you go on holiday and before your caravan or motorhome goes back into storage.

Here is a step-by-step plan for cleaning your water tank.

Drain the water pipes and boiler. The drain valve can be found near your boiler. Close the faucets again when the pipes are empty.
Empty the water tank and then fill it with water and a cleaning agent. For cleaning the water tank you can use Steradent (1 Steradent tablet on 1 litre of warm water), for example. Scrub the tank clean with a clean brush or sponge.
Rinse the tank and then fill it completely with the same cleaning agent.
The water pipes are cleaned by pumping water with cleaning agent through the hoses. Close the taps and let the pipes soak for a few hours. Then drain the pipes and the water tank completely. Blow air through them with an air mattress pump (not with your mouth, because that way you will get new bacteria) and rinse them thoroughly again.

tank maintenance

If your water tank is clean before you go on holiday, you'll want to keep it that way.

How do you keep your water tank clean on the road?

- - - Change the water as often as possible, but at least every three days.
    - Don't use that much water? Then fill the water tank halfway. A level meter can show you how full your water tank is.
    - Wash your hands before filling the water tank.
    - Always use a clean water hose to refill water. This prevents bacteria from getting into your water tank via the hose. Of course your campsite or motorhome site may not have a clean hose, so make sure you have a watering can with you that you only use to refill with clean water.
    - Always use the faucet for filling water, and do not let your hose make contact with the faucet.
    - Use ecological washing-up and shower products. This is better for the environment, for the place where you discharge the dirty water, but also for your pipes and tank. More and more campsites are using ecological cleaning products and will also appreciate this.

A clean water tank all year round

Cleaning the water tank is a bit of a job. So is there a way to get a clean water tank with less work? After all, what camping enthusiast fancies spending all their time on cleaning their water tank? Geert de Bekker, who has enjoyed camping for almost 50 years and has 10 years experience in ozone technology, has gained a lot of knowledge about everything that has to do with clean and safe water. His recommendation is Tank-O3. Tank-O3 is a small built-in system for a motorhome or caravan's water tank. This system works on 12 and 24 Volt.

The system uses an electrical current to create a chemical reaction in the water converting oxygen in the water (O2) to ozone (O3). Ozone is an extremely strong, odourless and tasteless oxidant that ensures that the water in the tank, but also the tank itself, remains completely free of bacteria. Because you clean the pipes before using the device, the pipes also stay clean and safe. As long as the system is on continuously throughout the season, all you have to do is top it up with water.

Tank-O3 system

Cleaning products for a water tank

There are various water tank cleaning products in different price ranges, all of which work in their own way. Some can be used during your holidays; others are more suitable to clean the water tank after winter storage. When choosing the best cleaning agent for your water tank, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Do you want to use a regular product or an industrial-grade one?
Will you choose an organic product or is that not a priority for you?
Check if the cleaning agent leaves a certain smell or taste. That can be unpleasant.
If you have a water heater or boiler, make sure you choose a product that is compatible.
Does the cleaning agent also remove limescale? Or do you need an extra product for that?

Do not drink from your water tank

Because you never know to what extent the water hoses or the tank are contaminated, it is safer not to drink the water from the tank. The most unpredictable part of the water quality is in the hoses. These are difficult to check for contamination and are precisely the areas that are most susceptible. Moreover, tap water quality can vary depending on your destination. All in all, it is much preferable to drink bottled water. If you really don't have any other water at hand than the water from the tank, make sure that you always let the water boil for at least three minutes. That's the only way to kill harmful bacteria.

If you are buying an older second-hand caravan or motorhome and you're not convinced that the water tank has been properly maintained? Then it is wise to buy a new water tank and possibly new pipes. They come in different shapes and sizes, built-in or loose and with or without wheels.

More tips on cleaning your caravan, motorhome or tent? Get them here.

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