Algae in water tanks, pipes and pumps

[Apollo4000]

Hi all,

My wife and i are in the process of getting out Bongo converted and are wrestling with the question of water tanks. We have been advised go with a pump and inlet pipe for campsite hook up or portable water butt, rather than onboard water tanks, because of the high risk of algae building up in the tanks, pipes and pump.

Any advice or experience to share?

[New Forest Terrier]

Flush out pipes regularly with Milton and use water sterilising tablets if you fill up from a campsite tap who's water source may not mains. That should avoid any problems. Also drain down system regularly as you can get algae even if you are only using tap water from home.

There are some sites where taking clean water with you is preferable to a dubious tap from a borehole or festivals where the water supply from a tanker is intermittent. Being able to take water is useful, although you can manage with a plastic carrier.

[g8dhe]

Yup we have inboard tank 20+litres, we keep it filled. Then three/four times a year we flush it with sterilising solution. Don't keep a small amount sloshing around as that means all the tank walls are damp and exposed, rather than underwater. Been doing it for 5 years and just entering a 6th year, no problems, other than one suspect water source on a farm campsite.

[sdsk]

We have been advised go with a pump and inlet pipe for campsite hook up or portable water butt, rather than onboard water tanks, because of the high risk of algae building up in the tanks, pipes and pump.

We had similar advice from a Wocester based dealer...

Personally I can't see the point of a camper van that doesn't carry it's own water. How could you just stop some where for a brew?

I guess the only up side would be that it makes for a more spacious interior....

Rear conversion and a 20 litre onboard tank for us.

[mikeonb4c]

But I've always got by just carrying a water container with tap. I'd be too undisciplined to sterilise a tank regularly.

[Bob]

I'm with Mike here. Been camping/caravanning for many years and I'm a great lover of the simple container.

Cheap, easy to clean, you can see how much is left, don't have to drive to tap to fill up, no fancy kit to freeze, tap and pump you will use a LOT more water...

In my work vehicle I keep 2 x 2ltr bottles of Asda's finest @ 17p each.

[Simon Jones]

We have a 10 litre removable tank in the conversion which we just tend to use for washing up, rinsing and general ablutions. For drinking water, we carry a couple of 1 litre water bottles, each of which is good for a few cups of tea. We then refill while onsite and then take home, empty and store them dry indoors so there is never any problems.

[winchman]

Part of my job involves looking after water systems. Whilst Milton ets is good once you get the Bio film ( line of Alge) around the tank or pipes its difficult to shift with a cold chemical.
The best way is to stream steralise it at 122 c for 15 mins but the systems wont take it.
I never use a built in system, I take bottles
If you choose to do so it will be fine if you follow a few simple rules,
Store it totally full or empty and dry
Chemically sanatise and rinse before every trip or at least every 1-3 months ( to be accurate on this time scale you would have to test it all which no one would bother doing)
I feel most contaminates will be people not cleaning the tap they take the water from, its best wiped with an alcohol, then flushed for a few seconds.
The thing is whilst this might be over the top you should then be certain your waters ok.

[ELZE]

Guys

Not wanting to sound morose but.....CAUTION!

Any water stored in a tank on a perminent basis could be subject to Legionella especially during the summer months. There is a temp range that can be achieved in summer that could harbour bacteria.

Better to flush tanks with Milton as suggested and refil with fresh water. I would not store water in any container in warm weather for more than 3 days. There are also many other waterbourne diseases associtated with water storage so please be careful! You may survive it bit it could seriously harm your granny or young child!

[winchman]

Guys

Not wanting to sound morose but.....CAUTION!

Any water stored in a tank on a perminent basis could be subject to Legionella especially during the summer months. There is a temp range that can be achieved in summer that could harbour bacteria.

Better to flush tanks with Milton as suggested and refil with fresh water. I would not store water in any container in warm weather for more than 3 days. There are also many other waterbourne diseases associtated with water storage so please be careful! You may survive it bit it could seriously harm your granny or young child!

Thats why we use bottles, even for washing up, or just fill the kettle at the tap

[Velocette]

We carry a plastic carrier with a tap and a plastic bowl for doing the dishes. Almost nothing to go wrong and no power needed. We leave the inner plug in the water carrier so if the tap develops a dribble or gets knocked on, the vacuum stops it leaking after a short time. We mostly, not always, camp at sites with facilities and get water straight from the washing up area, but for the odd cup of tea on the move, what we have is more than adequate. We sterilise the water carrier now and agin but having dogs it has a pretty good turnover rate any way. Legionella become hazardous where the water can form aerosols so showers, spray taps and less likely just water hitting the sink could cause these. Coliforms are more likely to cause harm and if there are legionella present you can bet your hat there will be coliforms in number.

[ELZE]

Legionella become hazardous where the water can form aerosols so showers, spray taps and less likely just water hitting the sink could cause these. Coliforms are more likely to cause harm and if there are legionella present you can bet your hat there will be coliforms in number.

Luke warm water incubates legionella regardless if it is sprayed or not. Then is just floats around in the soup just waiting for a spray event to happen then is goes airbourne! I agree there are many forms of bacteria in stored water but not all will upset your tummy but those that do....well you better have a portaloo handy thats all I can say.

Also mould developed in caravans caused by overwintering damp or with leaks can cause Toxins and airbourne particulates. Scrub all mould well with a Bacdet solution from your DIY store to kill the bacteria. Coat with Biocheck when removed to prevent a regroath

[Velocette]

Legionella become hazardous where the water can form aerosols so showers, spray taps and less likely just water hitting the sink could cause these. Coliforms are more likely to cause harm and if there are legionella present you can bet your hat there will be coliforms in number.

Luke warm water incubates legionella regardless if it is sprayed or not. Then is just floats around in the soup just waiting for a spray event to happen then is goes airbourne! I agree there are many forms of bacteria in stored water but not all will upset your tummy but those that do....well you better have a portaloo handy thats all I can say.

Also mould developed in caravans caused by overwintering damp or with leaks can cause Toxins and airbourne particulates. Scrub all mould well with a Bacdet solution from your DIY store to kill the bacteria. Coat with Biocheck when removed to prevent a regroath

What I meant was that you have to inhale aerosols to get infected by Legionella but if the conditions are right for Legionella to proliferate other bacilli will have done so too which are more likely to make one ill in the context of camping. AFAIK Legionella is fairly harmless in standing water, it occurs widely in nature,it is when it gets sprayed into the air that it can be lethal.

One member I know has fitted a purification system, I can't remember what it is called but he swears by it. He uses the same water all season.

[briwy]

We flush our under floor tank out regularly but the water is only used for cooking when it gets boiled properly.
For drinking water we use a Travel Tap (http://drinksafe-systems.co.uk/products.php) and just keep filling it up from the tank when necessary.
Travel Taps are expensive to buy but save a fortune in foreign parts instead of buying bottled water sometimes of dubious quality.

[windywatson]

Hi,

Most perminantly installed water tanks are made of meterials that are of solid colour and therefore don't transmit light. With respect to algea in particular in water tanks, it can't form as algea requires sun light to develope. You may of course get other types of water infections as mentioned, but in all of the years that I've used onboard water storage I've never experianced problems. I have of course allways treated the system regularly with a prepriatory steralizer.
I'd go for on board water storage if that fits your requirements.

Cheers