Bad tasting water from tank, what to do?

[JamesTXSD]

For the record, one small filter in the Brita lasts 90 days - that is a non-issue (takes up about the same space in a land fill as one crushed can). Plastic water bottles do have a "life" as far as being water-tight, even though it takes eons for them to break down. Also, in order for reused plastic water bottles to stay drinking safe, they have to be washed regularly... using more water.

I drove cruise boats in one of the National Parks for a couple seasons - at the Grand Teton National Park, they mandated that the park stores could no longer sell bottled water, and the Park Service put in water refilling stations. A lot of visitors were not happy about it - at first. More and more, people are understanding what those heaps of plastic bottles create. Besides using a Brita filtered pitcher for our refrigerated drinking water, we use a Soda Stream carbonating system to make our own sodas, and help cut down on that plastic waste, as well.

We met one couple on a boat who used their fresh water tank for washing hands, washing dishes, but not drinking. I asked them, "Do you brush your teeth with that water? Do you eat off those dishes?" They learned how to properly sanitize the fresh water tank, and thanked me for saving them money and storage space (several cases of water bottles take up space, and the garbage that results from that takes up space). They have also been "lucky."

Each cruising family should decide what works best for them, but understand that the best utilization of all the systems on a boat includes the fresh water system, as well. I would never drink from a communal "dock hose," and only fill my tank with my own hose. Carry a spray bottle with bleach water, and spray a communal spigot before connecting your hose to it. I can't tell you how many times I've used a marina restroom/shower-house and seen people in there brushing their teeth after laying their toothbrush on the counter! :shock: Those people could use some luck.

 

[baz]

Agreed.... we all make our own beds. 🙂

 

[Dale777]

Almost every farmer in this country relies on well water. Contrary to what some believe, well water is not always the purest thing around. It generally needs to be tested and treated, at least periodically.

I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma, so I drank untreated well water all during my youth. Luckily, neither I nor any of my family ever had any water related health issues. But, to be completely safe well water must be periodically tested and treated. How is it treated? It is done by a shock treatment of the correct amount of Clorox. My brother currently lives on a rural, residential area outside Greensboro, NC where he uses well water from his property. Periodically, he does just as I stated in testing and treating with Clorox. All across the country, rural areas and farmers do exactly that. I don't believe they are gambling with exposure to GI problems.

Also, in boat cruising and RVing over the past 16 years, I have treated the water just as stated with Clorox with no ill effects at all when the water is used for cooking, showering, washing dishes, and brushing teeth. Yes, we do carry bottled water since it generally has a better, consistent taste than the water from the boat's water tank.

However, on the farm when I was a youth, since the untreated water was not treated with fluoride, that caused early onset tooth decay. So, that is another precaution to keep in mind with water that does not come from a city water treatment plant.

 

[knotflying]

Mike,
Which filter do you use when filling? Are you concerned that the charcoal will remove the chlorine and leave your tank essentially untreated?
Thanks

This is the filter I use when filling the tank. https://www.walmart.com/ip/14504321...75035&wl11=online&wl12=14504321&wl13=&veh=sem . As far as chlorine removal, I add a couple of teaspoon to the tank before filling. I am filtering the water from the dock hose bib, so there is no issue. The clorox is in the tank prior to filling.

 

[Dale777]

I use exactly the same filter, attached at the hose bib, that Knotflying uses.

 

[Red Raven]

I use exactly the same filter, attached at the hose bib, that Knotflying uses.

Same here.

 

[Bill & Donna Sibbers]

Hi, Some great recommendations below. Here's our protocol for routinely great tasting water:

1. Empty water tank. If winterized, fill tank half way and empty again.
2. Check screen filter at pump and clean of you see debris.
3. Use only potable water rated hoses. These are usually white and do not impart an odor or taste.
4. Use carbon filter (as linked below - change each season). Attach at water source to preserve your potable water hose.
5. Fill water tank with filtered water (yes, cheap Vodka helps - we used two 1.5ltr bottles for 80 gallons)
6. Use a Brita water pitcher for drinking water. We keep ours full on a non-slip pad on the counter next to the sink.
7. Use a lot of water, empty tank, and fill using process above. The manufacturing or chemical taste will dissipate after a few tanks.

NOTE: We sanitize our 80 gallon water tank 1x per year using 1 tablespoon (cap) of non-scented chorine bleach.

Enjoy.

Bill

 

[Larry H]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have found a temporary work around. I bought a 2 gallon counter dispenser sold for refillable filtered water by Glacier. It fits behind the stove and can be refilled thru it's top cap with gallons of bottled water or good dock water.

After we return home from cruising, I will do the full sanitize and flush routine, maybe even add vodka!

I have a tentative plan to move the battery charger and inverter to the port locker this winter, and then I will have room for a two stage house type water filter. I don't like having the charger and inverter in the starboard locker with the water system equipment.