RE: [A/S] water filters, and the Everpure How much Clorox

["Oliver Filippi" <ofilippi@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The amount of bleach to use in conjunction with an Everpure charcoal filter
is "Enough to do the trick, plus a little more just to be sure."

The amount of bleach necessary would of course depend upon how much "foreign
matter" and contaminants there are in the water being sterilized.

If you use too much bleach, the only negative is that the adsorptive
capacity of the activated charcoal in the filter will be used up faster.  If
the water still has a "bleach odor" coming out of the filtered water tap,
then it is time to replace the filter.  Using a small amount of excess
bleach will ensure that the bacteria in the water has been killed.  The cost
of an extra filter is a lot cheaper than a doctor's or hospital visit - not
counting the lost time, pain and suffering, and possible serious
consequences.

Baking soda and vinegar:

Baking soda is an excellent chemical for neutralizing acid contamination -
sour taste and/or smell (typically caused by some sorts of spoilage or
fermentation).  Likewise, vinegar is a good edible neutralizer of basic (or
alkaline) contamination - also caused by spoilage (fermentation), typically
bitter.

After a long period of non use, the sequence of treatments with 1) a heavy
dose of bleach,followed by 2) vinegar and then, 3)baking soda - rinsing the
tank after each treatment should kill off all harmful contaminents and leave
the tank fresh and clean. Towing the trailer over varying terrain to slosh
the water around after each chemical treatment would ensure a good cleaning.

Subsequent treatment of the water with a light dose of bleach would be
indicated if the quality of the water used to fill the tank is questionable,
or suspect, or just to be safe. In this case, you would want to use your
Charcoal (hopefully Everpure) filter and separate faucet to remove the
chlorine (bleach) for drinking and cooking purposes.

Oliver Filippi