Making sure your caravan’s water is safe to use and drink

When you’re out on the road, whether for a weekend getaway or an extended adventure, having access to clean and safe water in your caravan is often essential. 

Unfortunately, a contaminated water system can lead to unpleasant tastes and odours in the water you are using, and can even introduce health risks. Even if you don’t drink the water, you could still experience complications from inhaling contaminated water vapour, perhaps when showering, for example, or when rinsing fruit and veg. This certainly isn’t ideal, especially for people with a weakened immune system as they can be at greater risk of complications with some types of bacteria. 

So, how can you make sure the water you are drinking and using remains fresh and safe? 

Well, follow these key steps to keep your system clean and free from bacteria…

Cleaning your caravan’s water system

Regular cleaning is essential to prevent the build-up of bacteria, algae and limescale -and just running the taps every few days and regularly filling the tank with fresh water isn’t enough. Over time, water tanks can develop a build-up of slime (known as biofilm), sediment and bacteria, which can contaminate your water supply. 

You should thoroughly clean your water tank at least twice a year, at a minimum, and ideally:

-  Before the first use of the season (especially if the caravan has been unused for a while)

-  Every few weeks during use, particularly in warmer weather.

-  Before storing the caravan for winter to prevent stale water from sitting in the system.
-  When using the caravan after a period of non-use.
-  And, whenever the taste and smell of the water is a bit iffy!

How to clean the system

Drain it down 

Empty any remaining water from the tank, pipes and taps, and close the faucets when the pipe are empty. Gently scrub the interior of the tank using a brush and a mild disinfectant solution. Avoid using any harsh chemicals that could leave a residue, and then rinse it out thoroughly.

Use a specialist caravan steriliser

Fill the tank with the right concentration of water and cleaning agent - products such as Puriclean or Milton sterilising fluid can be used but do check for any recommendations with your tank’s manufacturer, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution.

Flush it through

After allowing the sterilising solution to sit for a few hours, flush the system with fresh, clean water to remove any residue and to clean the pipes. If the caravan is going into storage, dry the tank first with a clean towel.

Clean the water filter (if fitted)

Clean and/or replace the filter regularly to make sure it remains effective.

Some top tips for clean and safe water

- Refresh the water as often as possible, and every few days at least.

- Use a clean hose for refills, to prevent contamination getting into the talk from the hose. You could also use a watering can of your own if the hose is dirty.
- Wash your hands before touching any parts of the tank or system.
- Don’t overfill the tank if you aren’t going to use all of the water.

Storing water in other ways

If you prefer to store water elsewhere other than the tank, you might want to follow these guidelines:

- Use fresh water daily - never let stored drinking water sit for too long.

- Store it in food-safe containers - avoid old plastic bottles that can leach chemicals.

- Keep your bottles out of direct sunlight to prevent algae growth - it’s worth putting them in the fridge if you can.

- Consider using a water filter to improve the taste and remove any impurities.

- For extra peace of mind, you could also use water purification tablets when storing water for long periods.

So, there’s lots of info there for you to think about. Making sure your caravan’s water is safe to use or drink doesn’t take much effort but it will no doubt make a huge difference to your health and comfort while you are travelling. Taking the time to do regular cleaning, ensuring proper storage of the water you carry on board, and doing some routine system maintenance will keep your water fresh and free from contamination.

Do you have any other caravan water safety tips? Please let us know in the comments!