Fairly new to RVing and can’t seem to find a good resource for safely storing water hose (both the one used to fill the fresh water tank and the one we use to hook up to water connection at campsite). About all I’ve seen is that we should connect the two ends of the hose when not in use. Still seems like it would be a breeding ground for grossness since it’s impossible to get all the water out.
How do you all handle your hoses to ensure safe water for your travels?
We do use drinking water safe hoses and sanitize the freshwater system in between trips, we also use the Camco taste pure filter - which I’m also unsure how to safely store and reuse. I’ve read that the technology of the filter supposedly keeps it from harboring bacteria. We do store it in a ziploc baggie in the refrigerator between trips. How long does it last and how do you tell when it needs to be replaced? So many questions!!!
Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!
An EXCELLENT question! As a retired utility inspector, I agree 100% with your "breeding ground for grossness" assessment. They truly are that --- and not enough is brought up about the risks involved. I don't know what others do to sanitize/store their hoses, but can tell you what
we do;
When packing the hoses breaking camp, we drain them as best we can by hanging them to drain (and dry, if time permits). I feel this is important for two reasons... #1, to limit that "grossness" and mold from breading in the first place. And #2, to keep the hose itself from deteriorating. For example, firemen must do this whenever they use fire hoses just to prolong their service life. If they didn't, the hoses would rubber-rot in short order.
Notice that, whenever a municipality has a water main rupture/repair, they always issue a "boil water" notice to the community supplied by the pipes connected to that system... This is vital, and for the same reasons that spurred your post here. Waterborne pathogens, such as e coli.. Typhoid can kill, and pipes are quickly-contaminated when they break underground like that.
[Digressed a bit there, sorry --- but I think it's important)]....
We then coil them up, screw the ends to each other and store them as normal.
When packing for the next trip, I take the hoses out and using a turkey-baster, shoot a tube or two of normal bleach (bleach with no 'cleaners', or additives) into them and re-connect the ends for transport.
At setup, I open the supply spigot and let the water run on the ground for a minute or so, to flush the campsite's pipes, then hook the supply hose to the coach.
I turn on the supply, go inside, and open the kitchen sink faucet for about 5 seconds, shut it off, and
NOT USE ANY WATER for at least 15 minutes. But we usually let it sit for more like an hour, or until actually
needed. This disperses the bleach throughout the entire system --
coach, hoses and all. Before using for cooking, we let the water run for about 30 more seconds. We only drink bottled water, both at home, or on the road, so this is not a personal concern for us.
IMHO, You're smart to limit your exposure to water-born pathogens like you are. I'll bet some RVer's DON'T.
A sink-only R/O filtering system would be something to look into also IMHO. We did. We use it for coffee water and cookin.