Emptying water tank after being away

Hi all
I was just wondering what everyone does with regard to water in van after returning home.
All winter I have been draining down the water system completely due to frost, but now that the summer is here I'm not sure is it necessary? We will be going out regularly in the van, hopefully at least every fortnight over the summer.

What do others do?

regards
Finbarr

If we are far from home we empty the clean water as well as the grey to cut down on weight before we leave for home to save Diesel. If near home we don't bother emptying the clean at this time of year, but we never use tank water for drinking , we always fill some 5lt plastic containers from the tap at home and bring them with us.

I usually just top up as i dont use it as drinking water

The water shouldn't go green in the tank, its direct sunlight which causes the algae to bloom and cause the green effect. We have a water tank along with 2 cubes of water in spain and it never goes green in the tank as it doesnt get any sunlight where as the cubes getting light, well its lunch time so use your imagination. The water for each comes from the same source by the way.

We don,t drink the water from the tank either as we take our water from the tap at home in bottles as well and that way the coffee and tea always tastes the same as at home, unless of course I make it as im known for making it very strong. but im doing it for the reason that I will not be asked to often to make it. lol .

My usual thing is to empty grey water when leaving site,
then put in abt 10ltrs of clean water and a good dash of bio liquid in as it does wonders in grey tank also, (no nasty whiffs in hot weather)

Macy,

I'd think twice before drinking water from the tank in your camper (main tank that you fill with the hose)
Especially kids drinking from it, it could harvest all sorts,

I know you can get steriliser tabs and all that but I wouldn't chance it without boiling it for a minimum of 5 minutes first,

What we use is a 20l potable white can bought in local hardware for a tenner with the tap built into it, it lasts us 3 to 4 days no bother,
And is very easy to sterilise and keep clean, (filled from drinking filter at nome)

we drink from our tank all the time except when in Europe.

food grade hose is an unnecessary expense as the water travels through all sorts of pipes before it reaches the tap.

I think we all do what we deem necessary.
Everyone has a different outlook on what is the best solution for keeping water as fresh as possible. We use puriclean if the van has been sitting for longer than usual.
I fill the tank and measure the correct amount directly into it. Leave it for 24 hours before switching all tap on and run until empty. Fill with fresh water twice more and run through the system.

This is probably slight overkill but I know I have done what I can.
I don't use food grade hoses but do have two 10 meter hoses which i bought in france. These are only used for the motorhome and are flushed before each use. They wind onto a small drum and both take up much less room than what we used before.

If the tank isn't flushed well afterwards I always imagine there is a slight taste from it.

I think if you are happy with what you do and it appears to work for you that's what counts.

Hi folks- just fleshing out this thread:- I can drain down my tank- with some difficulty, you have to almost lie on your back to lower the hose, again to fix it back!!).
Question is I cannot access or see the inside of the tank, to view/clean the bottom, as there appears to be no inspection cap on the tank itself. -Hope I am explaining myself clearly. Am I missing something??
Camper is a compass Castaway.
Frano

Thanks Mad Max. Only viewing your reply now. I will check further. Tank is under the rear double/storage area. But I have seen a plastic plate- about 3''x3'' -and I will check further. Regards
Frank

Checked that little plate, and it is only for letting in air!. I cannot find an inspection cap.I think I will have to get under van and look across the top of the water tank to finalize the issue
Franco