drinking H2O hose maintenance?

[Justin_NSA]

I have a Camco TastePURE Water Hose (Contains No Lead, No BPA & No Phthalate) I bought several years ago that I use along with a filter, specifically for filling the fresh water tank from the dock water supply. The filter is attached at the output end of the hose. I'm wondering now if I should be treating the hose monthly, annually (?) to eliminate germs, mold etc.
Any thoughts?

 

[jssailem]

I'm wondering now if I should be treating the hose

If this is on your mind, you should act upon this concern. Only then can you again find ZEN.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I have a Camco TastePURE Water Hose (Contains No Lead, No BPA & No Phthalate) I bought several years ago that I use along with a filter, specifically for filling the fresh water tank from the dock water supply. The filter is attached at the output end of the hose. I'm wondering now if I should be treating the hose monthly, annually (?) to eliminate germs, mold etc.
Any thoughts?

What kind of filter? It matters in terms of what gets introduced into the tank(s). The typical carbon filter might make for a “feel good” solution but does little more than minimize stuff which tastes bad.

The other obvious consideration is what is in the plumbing system which provides potable water to your dock supply as it is part of the system. Focusing solely on your hose while ignoring the rest of the system is futile.

in other words, your hose is a minor source of contamination.

 

[Hello Below]

If this is on your mind, you should act upon this concern. Only then can you again find ZEN.

A personal decision if your concern is environmental ie filling up landfills; otherwise, chuck it and replace without hesitation.
Camco 50ft TastePURE Drinking Water Hose - Amazon

 

[dlochner]

I'm half way in to @Don S/V ILLusion's camp. I do use an RV filter, which is mostly carbon at the output end and our drinking water is filtered through a Brita filter which does take out a few more bad things.

I always flush the hose before adding water, by letting it run for a minute or so. Longer if the hose bib is far away from the water main or hasn't been used much by folks along the dock. The water tank is always shocked each spring and periodically the tanks are power washed.

Municipal water supplies are pretty safe. If you're getting your water from a well or other unknown source, then more care is needed.

So, to specifically answer your question I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just flush the hose well before used and drain it before putting it away. We used to use one of those white RV potable water hoses now we changed and use a hose that flattens, it takes up less room in the locker and is easier to drag around.

 

[Justin_NSA]

So it sounds like I needn't do anything with the hose other than stow it. It stays in my dockbox.
BTW, I filter the water again onboard with a Pentek CBC-10 Carbon Water Filter.

 

[Apex]

once done using, drain standing water from it, and leave the ends open to air out. Closing the system invites growth.

 

[Rich 35.5]

once done using, drain standing water from it, and leave the ends open to air out. Closing the system invites growth.

I take the opposite tack... After draining, screw the two ends of the hose together and no contamination can get in... I doubt that anything would grow in the little city water left in the hose after draining.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Ive found water in hoses stored indoors many months later so I'd assume there's near zero air flow which of course could lead to mold/mildew build up. That's just one observation. Beyond that I have no clue on this topic

 

[Rick Webb]

Spent my youth drinking from hoses laying around the neighborhood or the practice field. Never heard of anyone getting sick from doing so. My daughter winces and runs inside to get a plastic bottle of water from the refrigerator checks the date on it and hands it to me when I do it now. Were we that much tougher with superior immune systems or is this something about nothing?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Spent my youth drinking from hoses laying around the neighborhood or the practice field. Never heard of anyone getting sick from doing so. My daughter winces and runs inside to get a plastic bottle of water from the refrigerator checks the date on it and hands it to me when I do it now. Were we that much tougher with superior immune systems or is this something about nothing?

I think we're just that much more aware of what can potentially harm us out there. As a result, our immune systems might actually be weaker because we aren't exposing ourselves to as many harmful substances. PS - Don't ever open up a used Super Soaker. The hoses are just covered internally in mold/mildew from standing water

 

[dlochner]

Spent my youth drinking from hoses laying around the neighborhood or the practice field. Never heard of anyone getting sick from doing so. My daughter winces and runs inside to get a plastic bottle of water from the refrigerator checks the date on it and hands it to me when I do it now. Were we that much tougher with superior immune systems or is this something about nothing?

The problem is lead in the vinyl hoses used to make them more flexible. It leaches out into the water and gets into your system. Lead is strongly associated with brain damage and cognitive impairment. It particularly affects learning and inhibition. Basically it is the same problem we have with lead pipes. Lead is cumulative, that is it builds up in the body and is not easily removed. Once the damage occurs it is not significantly reversible. Since it is a heavy metal poisoning, the immune system is not involved as there are viruses or bacteria to attack.

Bottom line, avoid ingesting or breathing lead, even small amounts.

 

[jssailem]

Were we that much tougher with superior immune systems

Yes.
We played away from parental supervision on the streets and in the woods.
We rode bikes across town, taking trains, buses, and subways to events. We managed to find our way to parks and school by walking beyond a one-block radius and somehow survived the mantra "Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you."

 

[kappykaplan]

We ate dirt, too!

 

[dlochner]

We ate dirt, too!

Speak for yourself!

 

[kappykaplan]

Speak for yourself!