Sanitising Water System - Swift Tourer Owner's Handbook Manual

S AN IT IS I NG
SANITISING
Guidance on cleaning portable water
tanks and the water system in touring
caravans.
The water systems, and in particular storage
tanks, in caravans are susceptible to
contamination by bacteria if care is not taken
with their use and cleaning. The symptoms
caused by bacterial contamination are not
purely limited to gastro-intestinal diseases,
but may also manifest themselves as ear,
nose, throat, eye or skin infections. It is
therefore important that you carry out the
following procedure prior to using the caravan
each time, even if you boil or filter all water you
use for drinking.
Separate Water Containers
1. All water remaining in the container
should be disposed of so that the
container is empty.
2. The outside of the container should
be thoroughly cleansed and washed
down to remove any dirt, dust or other
contaminant. Water at a suitably hot
temperature containing an appropriate
detergent is recommended for
this purpose.
3. Water should be put in the container,
swirled around, then emptied out.
4. The container should then be totally filled
with water containing an appropriate
sterilant solution and allowed to stand for
the recommended contact time
(e.g. Milton for 15 minutes).
5. The solution should be emptied from
the container.
6. The opening of the container should
be cleaned thoroughly with an appropriate
prepared wipe impregnated with
a sterilant.
7. The container should be inverted whilst
stored overnight (if possible).
8. The container must be filled with mains
water only and mains water only should be
used for the above cleaning procedure.
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9. On no account should garden hoses be
used to fill water tanks.
For Systems:
1. Drain down the system (open all taps
to allow air in, enabling the system to
drain quickly).
2. Remove any after market water filters
fitted, and replace with a short length
of hose or empty filter cartridge (this will
ensure the filter is not affected by the
disinfectant/ sterilant solution).
3. Fill the system by using the pump with a
disinfectant/sterilant solution (check that
the solution at full strength appears at
all taps/showers). Allow to stand for the
recommended period of time.
4. Drain the system completely.
5. Thoroughly clean the outside of all taps/
connectors with a cloth soaked in the
disinfectant/sterilant.
6. Flush the system through with clean
drinking water until no traces of
disinfectant/sterilant can be detected at
any tap.
7. Replace the filter.
Suitable sterilising chemicals are available from
your caravan dealer, accessory shop, chemist
or home-brew shops. It is not, however,
recommended to use bleach or sodium
metabisulphite.