Jeff, I  personally think that lots of folks are too finicky concerning the camper water tank water.  I fill mine only with high quality tap water, rinse it clean periodically, and find no discernible taste other than that of water.  For most VW camper water systems, if there is an off taste, I'd guess it is the lines, not the tank itself.  In that case, I guess I'd replace the lines, as biofilm in there might be hard to clean out, whether bleach killed it or not.  But the tank itself?  If it did somehow get crud in it, rinsing is easy, and bleach should disinfect nicely.

But of course, as a long-time backpacker (long before filters became the norm, and I haven't used one yet), I have ingested lots of iodine (Potable Aqua brand tablets).  Off tastes are not a bother to me, I guess.  Iodine definitely tastes.  In a pinch, I guess you could use it in your camper tank, but bleach is more practical.

mcneely

---- Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@MYMTS.NET> wrote:
> Now that is practical information!
> I only use my water tank for washing, not drinking.  But if people find that a Coke Soaker cleans things up, I'll try it.
> Jeff
>
> > Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 09:22:52 -0700
> > From: starwagen@GMAIL.COM
> > Subject: Re: Water tank
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >
> > On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 8:56 AM, Rocket J Squirrel <
> > camping.elliott@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > I usually drink the water in the tank without a thought. It seldom
> > > tastes off unless the water I put in tastes off. When not in use, I
> > > leave the cap off the bottom to promote air circulation and drying. I
> > > suppose a mouse with exceptional leaping powers and good aim could
> > > launch himself in there, but I'm not expecting to find such a physical
> > > specimen hereabouts.
> > >
> >
> > I used to do the same. Until, when cleaning out one Spring before initial
> > filling, I found the spiders....
>

--
David McNeely