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RichH RichH is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Dec 2007
Posts: 197
Default Smelly fresh water

Could be a couple of things going on with your water system.

1. You could be experiencing the decomposition of a large bacteria
colony ... a formation of bacterial slime (calcyx) somewhere in your
piping or tank. Bacteria in the water especially if the water is
stagnant, such as in boat water systems, will rapidly develop thick
bacteria layers. Once the cells form thick deposits, sanitization by
common methods only kill the the surface cells and leave viable
cells ... which continue to multiply underneath .... which eventually
die/decompose, etc. Any piping or tank wall that feels 'slimey' is a
bacterial slime.
The remedy is to find the large deposit of cells and mechanically
scrub them out then followed by a shock sanitization of the water
system. Sanitization with clorox is only effective on 'clean' systems
not a system that has developed biofilms. Industrial sanitization is
to completely fill the system with a 25-50 parts per million Chlorine
solution and let soak for 1-2 hours. With clorox, that will be about
1 cup per 25 gallons of water. If there is 'nay' remaining bioifilm,
you will need to repeat the sanitization many many many times followed
up with 'high velocity' flush with water.

2. If the magnesium anode in your hot water heater has been consumed
and the water heater has any aluminum components, you will be notice a
'rotten egg' smell from the water when the water is heated. This is
hydrogen sulfide gas. The remedy is to shock sanitize the hot water
heater, liberally flush with water and then replace the magnesium
anode in the hot water heater. A totally digested magnesium anode in
the hot water heater is one the chief causes of 'funky' water.