Help! Our boat holds 60 gallons of fresh water. We flushed the tanks out with water with a good bit of bleach in the water and then refilled with fresh water. A week later, stinks like rotten eggs. Why? What can we do? I am too sensitive to bleach to have any in the tanks. Thanks. G&G, Lake Lanier Ga.
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I already answered your question
When you posted it yesterday: you need to recomission the fresh water system. I'be posted directions for doing that several times in the last week...so you should be able to find them easily. Unless you expect them to spoon fed to you? Sailing IS, after all, about self-reliance. At least, it used to be...
When you posted it yesterday: you need to recomission the fresh water system. I'be posted directions for doing that several times in the last week...so you should be able to find them easily. Unless you expect them to spoon fed to you? Sailing IS, after all, about self-reliance. At least, it used to be...
Peggie's advice works for me.
Peggie says; Although most people think only in terms of the tank, the plumbing is actually the source of most foul water, because the molds, mildew, fungi and bacteria which cause it thrive in damp dark places, not under water. So if you want clean fresh tasting water, you need to recommssion the entire system, not just the tank and a couple of lines. Here's how to do it (and btw, it also gets rid of all the antifreeze taste and smell): Before beginning, turn off hot water heater at the breaker; do not turn it on again until the entire recommissioning is complete. Icemakers should be left running to allow cleaning out of the water feed line; however the first two buckets of ice—the bucket generated during recommissioning and the first bucketful afterward--should be discarded. 1. Prepare a chlorine solution using one gallon of water and 1/2 cup (4 oz) Clorox or Purex household bleach (5% sodium Hypochlorine solution ). With tank empty, pour chlorine solution into tank. Use one gallon of solution for each 5 gallons of tank capacity. 2. Complete filling of tank with fresh water. Open every faucet on the boat and let the water run till it smells strongly of bleach. Turn off all the faucets, but do not turn off the pump; it must remain on to keep the system pressurized and the solution in the lines 3. Allow to stand for at least three hours, but no longer than 24 hours. 4 Drain through every faucet on the boat (and if you haven't done this in a while, it's a good idea to remove any diffusion screens from the faucets, because what's likely to come out will clog them). Fill the tank again with fresh water only, drain again through every faucet on the boat. 5. To remove excess chlorine taste or odor which might remain, prepare a solution of one quart white vinegar to five gallons water and allow this solution to agitate in tank for a day or two while you go sailing and tack a lot. Keep the pump on to keep the system pressurized. 6. Drain tank again through every faucet, and flush the lines again by fill the tank 1/4-1/2 full and again flushing with potable water. Now you're ready to fill your tanks for the season. However, if you're only likely to use 100 gallons or less, fill only one tank. A key element in keeping onboard water tasting and smelling good is in USING your water...don't let it sit in the tanks for weeks. You don't want to transfer "critters" from the dock supply line and your hose to your onboard system either...the same critters that like the lines on your boat LOVE the dock supply line and your hose that sit in the warm sun. So before filling the tank each time, let the water run long enough to flush out all the water that's been standing in them so that what goes into your boat is coming straight from the water main.
Peggie says; Although most people think only in terms of the tank, the plumbing is actually the source of most foul water, because the molds, mildew, fungi and bacteria which cause it thrive in damp dark places, not under water. So if you want clean fresh tasting water, you need to recommssion the entire system, not just the tank and a couple of lines. Here's how to do it (and btw, it also gets rid of all the antifreeze taste and smell): Before beginning, turn off hot water heater at the breaker; do not turn it on again until the entire recommissioning is complete. Icemakers should be left running to allow cleaning out of the water feed line; however the first two buckets of ice—the bucket generated during recommissioning and the first bucketful afterward--should be discarded. 1. Prepare a chlorine solution using one gallon of water and 1/2 cup (4 oz) Clorox or Purex household bleach (5% sodium Hypochlorine solution ). With tank empty, pour chlorine solution into tank. Use one gallon of solution for each 5 gallons of tank capacity. 2. Complete filling of tank with fresh water. Open every faucet on the boat and let the water run till it smells strongly of bleach. Turn off all the faucets, but do not turn off the pump; it must remain on to keep the system pressurized and the solution in the lines 3. Allow to stand for at least three hours, but no longer than 24 hours. 4 Drain through every faucet on the boat (and if you haven't done this in a while, it's a good idea to remove any diffusion screens from the faucets, because what's likely to come out will clog them). Fill the tank again with fresh water only, drain again through every faucet on the boat. 5. To remove excess chlorine taste or odor which might remain, prepare a solution of one quart white vinegar to five gallons water and allow this solution to agitate in tank for a day or two while you go sailing and tack a lot. Keep the pump on to keep the system pressurized. 6. Drain tank again through every faucet, and flush the lines again by fill the tank 1/4-1/2 full and again flushing with potable water. Now you're ready to fill your tanks for the season. However, if you're only likely to use 100 gallons or less, fill only one tank. A key element in keeping onboard water tasting and smelling good is in USING your water...don't let it sit in the tanks for weeks. You don't want to transfer "critters" from the dock supply line and your hose to your onboard system either...the same critters that like the lines on your boat LOVE the dock supply line and your hose that sit in the warm sun. So before filling the tank each time, let the water run long enough to flush out all the water that's been standing in them so that what goes into your boat is coming straight from the water main.
smell
hello g of now, where do you get your water from? it could be that your supplier has hydrogen sulfide in the water passing to you, and no amount of tank cleaning will offset the fresh charge of odor disolved in the water. john
hello g of now, where do you get your water from? it could be that your supplier has hydrogen sulfide in the water passing to you, and no amount of tank cleaning will offset the fresh charge of odor disolved in the water. john
Peggy is right, so also is John
Peggy thanks for the list,,I printed it out and commissioned our boat 2 weeks ago worked like a charm. However, John has a point..our water came from the dock hose...our Marina is a well based system..the water in the shower house,(showers and sinks) smell of rotten eggs,,,sulfur...this is from the well. I would advise getting a pre filter for your garden hose that filters the water BEFORE you install in your tanks.....you can buy at west marine or home depot...you may have to rig the fittings to work with your hose....Try this and then Peggies list. We are using our water tanks for everything "BUT" drinking..unless we boil it...we also are experimenting with a PUR water filter on our galley tap...we shall see how that tastes in a few weeks. Rob
Peggy thanks for the list,,I printed it out and commissioned our boat 2 weeks ago worked like a charm. However, John has a point..our water came from the dock hose...our Marina is a well based system..the water in the shower house,(showers and sinks) smell of rotten eggs,,,sulfur...this is from the well. I would advise getting a pre filter for your garden hose that filters the water BEFORE you install in your tanks.....you can buy at west marine or home depot...you may have to rig the fittings to work with your hose....Try this and then Peggies list. We are using our water tanks for everything "BUT" drinking..unless we boil it...we also are experimenting with a PUR water filter on our galley tap...we shall see how that tastes in a few weeks. Rob
Filters vs recommissioning not an an either/or...
If you don't like the taste/smell of the water that comes out of the faucets on land, a filter may improve it aboard. However, a filter is not a substitute for system maintenance, but something that may be used in addition to an annual recommissioning...'cuz filters don't prevent the "critters" from growing in the plumbing. And remember that filters are not maintenance-free...they do require frequent cleaning and replacement.
If you don't like the taste/smell of the water that comes out of the faucets on land, a filter may improve it aboard. However, a filter is not a substitute for system maintenance, but something that may be used in addition to an annual recommissioning...'cuz filters don't prevent the "critters" from growing in the plumbing. And remember that filters are not maintenance-free...they do require frequent cleaning and replacement.
H2O On Board
We use our water tanks for cooking, handwashing and showers. We take a few gallon jugs of household water with us on our sails, and use that for making coffee, hot chocolate, tea and soup. Never had a problem with the water on board doing this.
We use our water tanks for cooking, handwashing and showers. We take a few gallon jugs of household water with us on our sails, and use that for making coffee, hot chocolate, tea and soup. Never had a problem with the water on board doing this.
Bottled water shouldn't be needed
If the system is maintained, there should be no difference between the taste/smell of onboard water and the water on land. Any difference/deterioration is the first clue that the system needs attention. Bottled water should only be necessary for those who won't drink or cook with anything else on land either.
If the system is maintained, there should be no difference between the taste/smell of onboard water and the water on land. Any difference/deterioration is the first clue that the system needs attention. Bottled water should only be necessary for those who won't drink or cook with anything else on land either.
well water
I lived for a few months in a house that had well water that stank like rotten eggs. This is hydrogen sulfide. If the water was allowed to sit for several hours the smell went away. The owner of the house said that bubbling air through the water also worked. I moved to city water ASAP. Running the water through a water softner should help with the smell and growth in the tanks. The hydrogen sulfide smell is common in areas where there is coal.
I lived for a few months in a house that had well water that stank like rotten eggs. This is hydrogen sulfide. If the water was allowed to sit for several hours the smell went away. The owner of the house said that bubbling air through the water also worked. I moved to city water ASAP. Running the water through a water softner should help with the smell and growth in the tanks. The hydrogen sulfide smell is common in areas where there is coal.
Peggy,
a bit snipity there, no? Your excellent advice on many topics is very much appreciated by all of us, I am sure, including me. But you have to understand that for whatever reason, ten percent never get the word. When at last they seek it, they should be treated with kindness.
a bit snipity there, no? Your excellent advice on many topics is very much appreciated by all of us, I am sure, including me. But you have to understand that for whatever reason, ten percent never get the word. When at last they seek it, they should be treated with kindness.
Very tired after a boat show and
10 hours of travel that shouldn't have been more than 5. So, yes, I was a bit cranky. Otoh, it appears that very few people ever read even the most recent posts, much less check the archives, before asking the same questions that someone else just asked...often even while there's still an ongoing discussion about it. It's time consuming to reply to same question 4 times in 5 days! And irritating even when I'm not tired and cranky to search down the thread where the answer is for someone who can't be bothered to find it himself, and point him to it only to have him repost the same question a day later because he wasn't spoon fed the answer. If you can't live in a world that doesn't always treat you with kindness, you'd best sell your boat and stay firmly planted on land...'cuz the sea is anything BUT kind. On its gentlest days, it can kill you...the most I can do on my worst days is hurt your feelings.
10 hours of travel that shouldn't have been more than 5. So, yes, I was a bit cranky. Otoh, it appears that very few people ever read even the most recent posts, much less check the archives, before asking the same questions that someone else just asked...often even while there's still an ongoing discussion about it. It's time consuming to reply to same question 4 times in 5 days! And irritating even when I'm not tired and cranky to search down the thread where the answer is for someone who can't be bothered to find it himself, and point him to it only to have him repost the same question a day later because he wasn't spoon fed the answer. If you can't live in a world that doesn't always treat you with kindness, you'd best sell your boat and stay firmly planted on land...'cuz the sea is anything BUT kind. On its gentlest days, it can kill you...the most I can do on my worst days is hurt your feelings.
Hydrogen sulfide is a poison gas
It's created, along with other toxic sulfer gasses, when organic matter breaks down anaerbocally as it does in stagnant ponds swamps, septic tanks...and yes, your boat's holding tank. And just as oxygen eliminates odor in running streams and holding tanks, the odor goes away when the water is aerated by bubbling air through it. It shouldn't exist in an uncontaminated well, so you were very wise to move to city water.
It's created, along with other toxic sulfer gasses, when organic matter breaks down anaerbocally as it does in stagnant ponds swamps, septic tanks...and yes, your boat's holding tank. And just as oxygen eliminates odor in running streams and holding tanks, the odor goes away when the water is aerated by bubbling air through it. It shouldn't exist in an uncontaminated well, so you were very wise to move to city water.
coal bed forms aquifer
In areas where there is coal the coal bed is part of the aquifer. As you said there are anaerobic bacteria that live in the coal(organic matter) trying to break it down. They can use sulfates as an oxygen source and this makes the sulfides. Again you are right in that under aerobic conditions the sulfides are converted to sulfates that don't smell. The sufates are actually sulfuric acid and that is why mine drainage often "sterilizes" a stream by making the stream too acid to support life. Eventually there is enough limestone etc to neutralize the acidity as the stream moves downhill. The acidity isn't usually a big problem in well water. As the hydrogen sulfide is a gas it can also be stripped from the water by passing air through the water. Probably more info than you wanted!!!
In areas where there is coal the coal bed is part of the aquifer. As you said there are anaerobic bacteria that live in the coal(organic matter) trying to break it down. They can use sulfates as an oxygen source and this makes the sulfides. Again you are right in that under aerobic conditions the sulfides are converted to sulfates that don't smell. The sufates are actually sulfuric acid and that is why mine drainage often "sterilizes" a stream by making the stream too acid to support life. Eventually there is enough limestone etc to neutralize the acidity as the stream moves downhill. The acidity isn't usually a big problem in well water. As the hydrogen sulfide is a gas it can also be stripped from the water by passing air through the water. Probably more info than you wanted!!!
Snippity....
If you look at the archives and follow the more current threads you may realize that after a while even the 90% who "get the word" stop communicating with her here because of her attitude. I guess the CO website owners like her way well enough to keep her on. Of course, she does promote her new book, maybe that's why? For me and many others, we still read and contribute but for the most part steer clear of threads she is involved with. Maybe to some it's good entertainment...similar to Rickie or Jerry or something like that. To me it's arrogance, self interest and not consistent with good manners or the principles of seamanship. Besides, you can find as much or more info on heads, hoses, sanitation and water systems, etc. in a brief Google search and then not have to deal with retaliation and retribution for asking.
If you look at the archives and follow the more current threads you may realize that after a while even the 90% who "get the word" stop communicating with her here because of her attitude. I guess the CO website owners like her way well enough to keep her on. Of course, she does promote her new book, maybe that's why? For me and many others, we still read and contribute but for the most part steer clear of threads she is involved with. Maybe to some it's good entertainment...similar to Rickie or Jerry or something like that. To me it's arrogance, self interest and not consistent with good manners or the principles of seamanship. Besides, you can find as much or more info on heads, hoses, sanitation and water systems, etc. in a brief Google search and then not have to deal with retaliation and retribution for asking.
Harsh
Everyone is enitled to their opinion and that includes Chris. I've sparred with Peggy at least once and have to admire her tenacity. I've had some good teachers along the way. Some were pleasant, some were not, some didn't even know everything they should have. But if you listen, you can learn valuable things from many places. Peggy spends a lot of her time faithfully responding to those posts where her expertise is relevant. I've been hanging around here for more than two years now and she has been here the entire time, posting almost daily. Her book is a rather recent event. I've often thought that she should just do an FAQ section and point people in that direction. If not that, then maybe a standard blurb she could cut and paste into the dialogue. But, it is clear that Peggy is somewhat of a perfectionist in her responses. I suspect that she would need to edit any cut and paste response to adequately and completely answer the specific question posed. All this takes lots of time, and there must be times when it must be very redundant. I didn't get to the Pacific Sail Expo until Sunday because of other commitments. I accomplished everything else I needed to do, except have a chance to meet Peggy. Perhaps another time. Keep up the good work Peggy. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Everyone is enitled to their opinion and that includes Chris. I've sparred with Peggy at least once and have to admire her tenacity. I've had some good teachers along the way. Some were pleasant, some were not, some didn't even know everything they should have. But if you listen, you can learn valuable things from many places. Peggy spends a lot of her time faithfully responding to those posts where her expertise is relevant. I've been hanging around here for more than two years now and she has been here the entire time, posting almost daily. Her book is a rather recent event. I've often thought that she should just do an FAQ section and point people in that direction. If not that, then maybe a standard blurb she could cut and paste into the dialogue. But, it is clear that Peggy is somewhat of a perfectionist in her responses. I suspect that she would need to edit any cut and paste response to adequately and completely answer the specific question posed. All this takes lots of time, and there must be times when it must be very redundant. I didn't get to the Pacific Sail Expo until Sunday because of other commitments. I accomplished everything else I needed to do, except have a chance to meet Peggy. Perhaps another time. Keep up the good work Peggy. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
recommissioned yesterday
I was certainly glad to have Peggy's instructions when I recomissioned my system yesterday. After listening in on her discussions on this forum, I feel confident that I am doing the right things in the right order. I keep a printed copy of the procedure in my maintenance binder. I do have to come up with a better way of pumping the solution thru. My h25 has a 10+gal tank and I only have the hand pump (approx 1 oz per pump) at the galley. I went thru several 12 oz containers of Busch pump lube.
I was certainly glad to have Peggy's instructions when I recomissioned my system yesterday. After listening in on her discussions on this forum, I feel confident that I am doing the right things in the right order. I keep a printed copy of the procedure in my maintenance binder. I do have to come up with a better way of pumping the solution thru. My h25 has a 10+gal tank and I only have the hand pump (approx 1 oz per pump) at the galley. I went thru several 12 oz containers of Busch pump lube.
Another Positive for Peggy
I have been on these threads for almost 3 years and I have ALWAYS found Peggy to be a person who gives sound, solid, practical advice. I don't understand why people are criticizing her so much. Personally, I'm looking forward to taking her up on her suggestion to tee off my head's raw water intake to the head's sink drain so I can fill the sink with fresh water & give my head a final fresh water rinse after a weekend of cruising. THAT is solid, clever advice that I wouldn't have gotten if Peggy weren't here to give it to me. Bottom line is this: Peggy's posts make this forum a better place to get information. These forums are for the exchange of ideas and information on topics the sailor needs to know about. Marine plumbing, discharge rules, maintenance advice, head odors and a good, clean glass of water are ALL things we sailors are concerned with. If you search the archives you'll find literally HUNDREDS of her posts that address each of those regards and much more. To others who are critical I might gently suggest that they please keep in mind that she often posts multiple times a day. To judge her on one or two posts is unfair, considering that those few posts are less than 1% of all she's had to say here. To Peggy, I say: "Keep up the good work." Respectfully, Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull# 632
I have been on these threads for almost 3 years and I have ALWAYS found Peggy to be a person who gives sound, solid, practical advice. I don't understand why people are criticizing her so much. Personally, I'm looking forward to taking her up on her suggestion to tee off my head's raw water intake to the head's sink drain so I can fill the sink with fresh water & give my head a final fresh water rinse after a weekend of cruising. THAT is solid, clever advice that I wouldn't have gotten if Peggy weren't here to give it to me. Bottom line is this: Peggy's posts make this forum a better place to get information. These forums are for the exchange of ideas and information on topics the sailor needs to know about. Marine plumbing, discharge rules, maintenance advice, head odors and a good, clean glass of water are ALL things we sailors are concerned with. If you search the archives you'll find literally HUNDREDS of her posts that address each of those regards and much more. To others who are critical I might gently suggest that they please keep in mind that she often posts multiple times a day. To judge her on one or two posts is unfair, considering that those few posts are less than 1% of all she's had to say here. To Peggy, I say: "Keep up the good work." Respectfully, Allen Schweitzer s/v Falstaff C-30 Hull# 632
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