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Towards late summer we had a break in the Isle of Wight. I noticed upon setting up the fresh water system a slime inside the aquaroll and on the pump. I thought nothing of at first because I am Psycotic about cleaning out the the water system and had cleaned it a couple of days earlier. The next day we got gippy tummies and narrowed it down to the water. I have read threads on this topic and noticed a lot of people use bottled water which I found a  little pointless if cleaned out properly. But didnt realise that I was using the wrong chemicals. After much googling when we got back home the company below emailed me - I thought I should share this with my fellow campers if they have the same problem or dont trust the fresh water in their van.

Slime in the Water System

Dear Mr. White,

In reply to your email, the problem you have with your caravan water system, occurs in all forms of stored water systems, sometimes incurring health problems.

You have not named the propriety strilising solutions you have used, however, Milton is a form of Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach) which is corrosive and should not be used in a water system and of course it does not clean.

All water will contain some forms of microorganisms, even in small quantities which the human body can easily overcome, but when stored will multiply to unhealthy levels unless preventative measures are taken.

Biofilms

Microorganisms within a water system will attach to inner surfaces, cracks and crevices and secrete a slimy glue like matrix biofilm.  Bacteria within a biofilm will utilise available nutrients to multiply, enlarging the biofilm which releases bacteria into water passing through, creating further biofilms and infecting the water.

The water holding tank and complete water system should be cleaned and disinfected periodically and water should be purified as it is stored to help prevent the problem.

Biofilms are notoriously difficult to remove and requires a specially formulated product to remove the biofilm and eradicate the bacteria within.

Puriclean is a dual purpose formula which both cleans and disinfects in one action. The powder is best dissolved in warm water in a small container, transferred into the storage tank, topped up with water and mixed. Pump the mixture through to all the outlets and turn them off so that the complete system is in contact. Leave for 12 hours, run to drain and then rinse with clean fresh water. Don't forget to clean and disinfect any hose you use. Repeat if necessary, but it is most unlikely. When filling with fresh water, drop in an Aqua Clean Tab to keep the water pure.

Puriclean contains:-

• Powerful cleaning agents
• Alkalis to dissolve soil
• Sequestering agents to hold soil in suspension to prevent redeposition
• Anti-corrossion agents to protect components
• Superior solid organic sterililant
• Wide spectrum of activity
• Fast rate of micoorganism kill
• High alkaline formula which renders the sterilant non-aggressive and the cleaning action more powerful
• Combined action which removes biofilm

Puriclean and Aqua Clean Tabs are available from most caravan accessory shops, but contact us if you have problems in obtaining the products.

We have forwarded our booklet on 'Care of Water Systems'.

Best regards,

Colin Vinyard

Clean Tabs
Unit 6
Spring Gardens Industrial Estate
Whitland
SA34 0HZ

Telephone: 01994 240925
Fax: 01994 241353

Email: info at cleantabs.co.uk
Website: www.cleantabs.co.uk/

We have never used "puriclean" and never had any problems.

We have used puriclean at about 3 monthly intervals and have never had any problems.  It does seem a bit like scaremongering by the company. 

How did you narrow it down to the water?  Did you send samples of all food eaten to labs for testing?

Interesting post and thanks for sharing that letter. I have always used milton for cleaning/sterilising the water hog and internal pipework in the van. I note the comments in the letter, but we, like so many, used Milton for the kids bottles etc when babies and they were ok. Never had a problem with the water, but then we only drink bottled unless we boil the water first. Lids on water hogs are not the best of fittings and can let just anything into your water.

As an additional protection for the water system the little lady cut open the end of one of those plastic lined draw string toilet bags and sewed another draw string into to the cut end. We now have the pump threaded through the toilet bag and it ties onto the cap creating a double and better seal around the top of the water hog. 

Phil

We had a water hog and an aquaroll and we got rid of the water hog.  The water pump alwways seemed to seal better to the aquaroll.  This might be because it is  a smaller diameter cap.

Millions of years of evolution have hardened our immune system to handle a lot of bacteria etc.  Pets happily drink from muddy puddles with no problems.

Millions of years of evolution have hardened our immune system to handle a lot of bacteria etc.  Pets happily drink from muddy puddles with no problems.

Ahh not been to Sandringham Brian?

The other Prince of Wales is allowed in.....

'Some of the people who go there are too posh to clear up the excreta their dogs leave on the paths.....'

It wasn't corgis was it?

Quote: Originally posted by brianconwy on 02/1/2011

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'Some of the people who go there are too posh to clear up the excreta their dogs leave on the paths.....'

It wasn't corgis was it?

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I also had a very similar enquiry about a sterilising product called VWP which is a home brew steriliser manufactured by Clean Tabs and asked if it could be used for sterilising caravan water barrels in preference to Milton which I understand that most caravanners use. This was the reply:

Dear Mr. Tomlinson,