Smelly fresh water
 

Hi all,
After failure of the fresh water pressure system on my boat in the past, I
have installed additional Whale footpumps, one in the galley and one at the
aft head basin. I have done the plumbing with special non-toxic drinkwater
hose. The hose is connected (with a T-piece) directly after the Y-valve for
the water tank selection.
The foot pump in the aft head is connected with a T-piece to the hose that
runs to the galley foot pump. In between both foot pumps and the taps I have
installed domestic inline carbon water filters in standard transparent
housing (for ease of inspection). All works well. We rarely use the pressure
system now (only for hot water).
However, we have one annoying problem:
After the pump in the head has not been used for 2 or 3 days, the water has
a unpleasant smell for the first 20 or so pump strokes. I have replaced the
carbon filter cartridge to no avail. The water in the galley is perfect, no
smell, no taste, from the first pump stroke. The carbon filter does not seem
to make a difference. I have removed the carbon cartridge in the head
altogether, still smelly water. The situation is exactly the same in galley
and head, same type of hose, same hose-lengths, pumps, filters and taps.
Hoses and filter cartridges do not receive direct sunlight.
Has anyone any suggestions what may be causing the smell?

Regards,
Wout

Smelly fresh water
 

On 2008-06-07 20:39:33 -0400, "WBH" said:

After the pump in the head has not been used for 2 or 3 days, the water has
a unpleasant smell for the first 20 or so pump strokes.

You've got "critters" breeding within the filters, themselves.

We drain the filters each time we leave the boat, put the elements in
the sink to dry out. Problem solved.

If we're going to be away for a longer while, we drain the tank. Since
we only have about 25 gallons, it's no big thing.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-à-Deux -- Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

Smelly fresh water
 

"Jere Lull" wrote in message
news:2008060813464143658-jerelull@maccom...
On 2008-06-07 20:39:33 -0400, "WBH" said:

After the pump in the head has not been used for 2 or 3 days, the water
has
a unpleasant smell for the first 20 or so pump strokes.

You've got "critters" breeding within the filters, themselves.

We drain the filters each time we leave the boat, put the elements in the
sink to dry out. Problem solved.

If we're going to be away for a longer while, we drain the tank. Since we
only have about 25 gallons, it's no big thing.

--

I have 150 gallons and 2-3 times per year i add about 1 pint of clorine to
the system, let it mix up and then run all the faucets till I smell clorine
and then let them sit for a few days. I then empty the system and refill
and flush. This will ruin your carbon filters...either remove them prior
if they are new or replace them after you flush.

Smelly fresh water
 

Put only distilled water in your tank to kill what is in it. Don't do it on
a permanent basis, it will eat through the tank. Distilled water is
extremely aggressive, it makes hydrazine look like beauty cream.

Smelly fresh water
 

OK, you have my interest. Please define aggressive. What is your experience
that drives this statement? Please be precise, tank material, volume,
exposure time,etc
Steve

"Road Rage!" wrote in message
...
Put only distilled water in your tank to kill what is in it. Don't do it
on a permanent basis, it will eat through the tank. Distilled water is
extremely aggressive, it makes hydrazine look like beauty cream.

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.