• Fresh Water System:  Clean sanitary water for cooking and drinking

• Gray Water System:  waste water from sinks & showers

• Black Water System: waste water / sewage

Most self contained RV's contain three water tanks, Fresh, Gray and Black  

Fresh Water System

The fresh water system is probably the most important water system in your RV,  therefore it is important that this system is kept clean and sanitary at all times.  There are two ways fresh water is supplied to your RV,  one is through a water line connected to your RV,  this is an "On Demand" system,  the second source is your Fresh water tank, water is pumped from the tank by an on board 12 volt water pump to all faucets and toilet.  This tank should be cleaned and sanitized at the beginning of your camping season or after long term storage.

Sanitizing the fresh water tank:

1. Empty the tank and water heater

2. Mix ½ cup of bleach with water for a thirty gallon tank

3. Run water through all faucets 

4. Top off tank and let sit for a few hours or overnight

5. Drain entire fresh water system

6. Refill with fresh water and flush all faucets once again

7. Fill tank again with fresh water and you should be clean and good to go.

Note:  Not recommended to pour straight bleach in your fresh water system,  it should be diluted for best results and to prevent damage

White hoses should be used for you water source and to fill your fresh water tank,  an inline water filter is also a good idea.  All fresh water accessories should be kept away from gray & black water accessories.

Gray Water / Black Water Systems

Gray and black are both waste systems,  and must be emptied in designated dump stations only,  gray water should never be emptied on the ground,  some states will fine you is you are caught doing this.  Most private campgrounds have sewer hook ups available at each campsite,  there are many companies that make sewer hoses and accessories for emptying your waste tanks, Valterra & Camco are popular manufacturers.  It is best to keep your black tank closed and empty it only when needed,  when you empty your black tank it is a good idea to flush the tank to get any debris that may be on the sidewalls or the tank sensors,  some popular black tank flush aids are, 

Camco Quickie Flush:   HydroFlush

The flush King:

Sewer Solution: Swivel Stick:

If you are in a campsite with no sewer connection you may need to use a portable tank to empty your holding tanks:

 Tote Tanks:

Prest-O-Fit®:  Camco Easy Slip®:    

 Valterra E Z Coupler:

Sewer Hose Support:

Hose Support:

Slunky: