Looking for information on how to clean caravan water tanks? In this post, we cover cleaning drinking water tanks, grey water tanks and black water tanks.
At the time of writing, we have travelled for six months full-time, so it is time to research how to clean
Cleaning Water Tanks Procedure
Cleaning
Worse, if your drinking water tank isn’t filtered properly, your RV water tanks become a breeding ground for bacteria and contaminants. Clean, adequately washed camping water tanks mean your family has a reliable water source while on the road.
Cleaning your tank isn’t a chore you’ll need to do all the time. 1-2 times per year is good enough while you’re using it. If you’re taking a tank out of storage, washing it before using it is best- the same goes for a brand-new tank.
The tank may have chemicals in it, so clean it before using it for the first time. I would also recommend washing your motorhome tanks if you notice any changes in the water quality, such as an odd taste or colour.
Note: When we talk about cleaning, we’re talking about a thorough cleaning: rinsing, scrubbing and disinfecting with chemicals. Think of it like your spring cleaning. Aside from your deep cleaning, you may need to flush (rinse) your water tanks more often while travelling.
Also, remember that cleaning requirements differ for different tanks such as black, fresh and grey water tanks. In this article, we’ll get into each tank type and how to clean a
How To Clean Water Tank In Caravan
Step 1: Gather The Supplies
Before you get started cleaning
- A hose for rinsing
- A bucket and tank sanitising solution
- A tank cleaning wand or a long, flexible brush
- Rubber gloves
- Safety goggles
- A cleaning cloth or sponge
- A wrench or socket set to access the tank
Step 2: Access The Tank
Depending on how your
Step 3: Empty The Tank
Before you clean your
Step 4: Rinse The Tank Out
Rinse the inside of the tank with water to remove solid particles or debris first. You can use a cleaning cloth or bristle brush to remove particles deposited on the sides or corners.
Step 5: Mix The Cleaning Solution
If you’re using a store-bought tank-cleaning solution, mix it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
You can also use products from your house bleach or a vinegar-baking soda combo.
Our research found that bleach works excellently for cleaning water tanks in caravans. 125ml of bleach per 1,000 litres of water is strong enough to kill the bacteria.
You can also use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar which is our preference. This DIY combination is also great at fixing clogged pipes. Combining vinegar and baking soda triggers a chemical reaction that helps break down the clog.
I use vinegar and bicarb soda every month down each of our kitchen, bathroom basin and shower drains. It keeps them clean and flushes any debris or odours.
Step 5: Scrub And Rinse
Dip your tank cleaning wand or bristle brush into the cleaning solution and thoroughly blast the interior of the tank. After blasting, rinse the tank with a hose until the water runs clear.
You can also leave the cleaning solution for 2-4 hours to allow it to disinfect the tank. If you have time, leave it overnight and hose it down the next day.
Step 7: Reassemble And Refill
With the tank now clean and sanitised, reassemble any access panels or covers you removed earlier. Once everything is securely in place, you can refill your
How To Clean Caravan Water Tanks: Clean Caravan Grey Water Tanks
Grey water tanks carry wastewater from sinks and washing machines. This water isn’t as toxic as black water and can be reused for toilet flushes and sometimes for watering plants.
They don’t need to be sanitised as often as fresh water tanks, but it’s a good idea to clean them once or twice a year, depending on how often you use your van, to prevent blockages.
Follow the same steps as above to wash
How To Empty Grey And Black Water Tanks
Knowing how to empty grey and black water tanks is crucial to maintaining your
Solo travellers and couples can go for as much as a week before emptying their tanks. Generally try not to let your tanks cross over three-quarters before you dump them.
Emptying Grey Water Tanks
- Find the tank’s drainage valve, near the bottom of the tank
- Place a container like a dedicated wastewater tub underneath the valve to catch the water
- Open the valve slowly to allow the grey water to drain into the.
- Empty the tub of water appropriately, according to local regulations
- Rinse the tub and store it again
Emptying Black Water Tanks
- Find the black water tank’s drain valve, usually at the bottom of the tank
- Wear safety equipment such as gloves, mask or goggles before opening the valve
- Connect a dedicated sewage hose to the drain valve on the side. At the other end, connect it to the camp’s sewage system or any sewage system.
- Carefully open the valve to allow the liquid to drain into the sewage system
- After emptying the black water tank, flush it with a tank sanitising solution to maintain cleanliness and prevent odours. (optional)
Flushing Caravan Water Tanks
After you’ve emptied your grey and black water tanks, you can flush them to remove any remaining residue. You can also use a sanitising solution to kill bacteria. Follow the following steps to flush your tanks:
How To Flush Caravan Water Tanks
- Fill the tank with fresh water until it is full.
- Open the drain valve and let the water flow out, taking any remaining residue with it
- Close the drain valve and repeat steps 1-2 until clear water flows out.
Where To Fill Caravan Water Tanks
Here are some common locations for filling up
Caravan Parks
The benefit of staying at paid
Rest Areas
You can usually find drinking water taps at petrol stations on the highway. Often it’s located out of the way, where the air pump for your tyres is. Always ask the attendant before hooking up your hose and filling your tank. Usually, they won’t refuse.
Free Campsites
Some free campsites have taps on-site to use. If it’s a donation camp, throw some money in after filling up. You can fill from nearby creeks and rivers even if there’s no tap. Creek and river water are usually only suitable for showering and washing dishes.
Using it for these purposes can help you save your onboard drinking water. Even if you’re just using it for showering, don’t use stagnant, coloured water. If you don’t have 2 separate tanks, you can use a jerry can/portable water carrier to hold creek water.
Town Water Supplies
Some towns have coin-operated water stations. It’s always a good idea to have coins in your wallet before you leave. Or, you can get change from nearby shops.
Water Carriers
Portable water carriers are your solution if all of the above are unavailable. Simply fill your carrier at a suitable water source and transfer it to your
Visitor Information Centres
Tourist Information centres usually have drinking water taps. You can use them to fill your tank or portable water carriers directly. Ask a staff member if the tap doesn’t clearly say ‘drinking water’ or ‘potable water’ as it may not be fit for drinking.
Tips For Filling Caravan Water Tanks
Be cautious in choosing a water source when you’re on the road. It’s better to spend an extra half hour driving to a clean water source than spending a few days dealing with diarrhea.
Use A Water Filter
Even when filling your tank with clean water, it’s a good idea to filter it as it goes into your tanks. Most town water is generally good, drinkable water, but you never know when your stomach will react to something. Attach an Inline water filter to your hose as it’s filling the tank.
Carry Spare Hose Fittings
You’ll need to carry a variety of hose and tap fittings for finding water while travelling. Public taps (like those in parks) often don’t have taps. They’ve either been removed to avoid vandalism, or people have stolen them.
A cross-shaped tap key is also a must. It’s made of brass and has 4 tab sizes in one key. You can pick them up at any Bunnings store or your favourite hardware store.
Keep Hose And Connections Clean
As well as cleaning your tanks, it’s necessary to clean the connections used for filling them. Bacteria hiding in their nooks and crannies can compromise the cleanliness of your tank.
Collect Rainwater
Collect rainwater from your awning to wash clothes, dishes and shower. Put your annexe out and angle one corner to collect water that runs off into a bucket. You can even get a rain gutter kit (which includes gutter clips, a bucket, a hose connector, ball bungees etc.) to collect water.
Where can you empty grey water?
This gets a bit confusing. At most camps, it’s fine to dump the water into the grass, as long as it’s far from where the camps/caravans are parked. However, if it’s marked that emptying grey water into the ground isn’t allowed, then don’t do so.
There’s the question of emptying grey water into sewage outlets (such as Dump-Ezys). However, dump points weren’t designed for huge sewage volumes such as a 150L grey water tank.
Keep in mind that although grey water isn’t toxic, if kept for longer than 24 hours in the tank, its starts to reek because bacteria start growing in it.
When the sunlight doesn’t kill the bacteria, it turns into black water.
If that’s the case, be careful about dumping it near civilisation. It probably should be dumped in a suitable greywater dump point.
How often should you clean caravan water tanks?
Cleaning caravan water tanks regularly is crucial for maintaining water quality and ensuring your health and safety during your travels. The frequency of cleaning depends on various factors such as usage, water quality, and storage conditions. Generally, it’s recommended to clean caravan water tanks at least every six months. However, if you frequently use the caravan or if the water starts to taste or smell odd, more frequent cleaning may be necessary.
It’s also a good idea to clean and sanitise the tanks (see above) before storing your caravan for an extended period and again when you take it out of storage. This helps prevent the growth of bacteria and algae, which can occur when water is left stagnant.
Regular maintenance, including checking for any leaks or damages to the tank and its components, is also important. This ensures that your water system remains hygienic and safe for use throughout your travels.
Should you leave water in caravan water tanks?
Leaving water in caravan tanks for extended periods is generally not recommended, especially if the caravan will not be used for some time. Stagnant water can lead to the growth of bacteria and algae, which can contaminate the water supply and potentially cause health issues. Here are some guidelines:
1. Short-Term Storage: If you’re using the caravan regularly, such as on a weekend basis, it might be okay to leave water in the tanks, provided the water is fresh and the tanks are clean.
2. Long-Term Storage: For periods of non-use, such as over the winter or when the caravan is stored for several weeks or months, it’s best to drain the tanks completely. This prevents stagnation and reduces the risk of any contamination.
3. Sanitising Before Use: After long periods of disuse, even if the tanks were emptied, it’s a good idea to sanitize them before refilling. This ensures any residual bacteria or algae are eliminated.
4. Regular Use and Maintenance: If you’re travelling continuously, doing the big lap of Australia, regular maintenance and cleaning of the tanks are essential. This includes periodically draining and sanitizing the tanks to ensure the water remains safe for consumption.
5. Climate Considerations: In freezing conditions, it’s important to completely drain the tanks to prevent damage from expanding ice.
By following these practices, you can ensure that the water in your caravan remains clean and safe and that the tanks themselves are maintained in good condition.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve explored in our simple and easy guide, keeping your
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that the water in your
With a little effort and the right tools, you’ll be a pro at keeping your
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With years of experience travelling Australia in a caravan, I’m passionate about helping others embark on their own unforgettable adventures. From off-grid camping tips to expert advice on planning the ultimate big lap of Australia, I share stories, practical hacks, and inspiration to make your journey stress-free and exciting. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just starting out, join me as I explore the beauty of Australia, one road at a time!
