How to disinfect the water tank

Jan 13, 2015
95
Hunter 34 Deep Bay, BC
I just bought a 1983 Hunter 34. The previous owner didn't trust the water tanks for potable water. Is there a way to put a conditioner or some other chemical in, fill it, flush it, and be confident the water will be drinkable? Is it practical to test the water to see if it's good enough to drink?
 
Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
I have a 45 year old boat with the original integral tanks, and we drink the water with no problems. An occasional shot of regular unscented chlorine laundry bleach is all you need. Recommended dose is .13 ounce per gallon of tank capacity. Pour that amount into the empty tank, then fill with cool water. Run that through all the lines to the taps and let it sit for a couple hours, then drain and refill the tank. If your water is still funky, the problem is often in the hoses. If they're the clear vinyl kind and you see green algae inside the hose, you'll probably have to replace them to truly get rid of it. It's the light penetrating the hose that allows stuff to grow inside. I changed mine to opaque PEX tubing and haven't had any more problems. Filling the tank with treated municipal water usually keeps enough chlorine in the system to keep it fresh. If the hot water stinks but cold is ok, it's because heat evaporates the chlorine and lets stuff grow in the hot water lines. You don't get that problem in your home because the water there is always hot and won't let anything grow. If you use the hot water taps to get cold water when there is no hot, that will keep them flushed out and minimize the problem. If you're really paranoid, you could take a water sample to your local Health Department and have it tested. People with well water at home have to do that occasionally.
 
Mar 17, 2018
12
Hunter 40.5 Angra dos Reis
Hello Sailors
I own a Hunter Legend 40.5 1996. It comes with PEX piping. See pic attached.
I've found that chlorine affects PEX piping, but I am unsure if this is the case with all PEX or only the early forms of it.
What is your experience?
How do you disinfect water for those that have PEX plumbing?
20220110_114631.jpg
 

Apex

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Jun 19, 2013
1,197
C&C 30 Elk Rapids
grey tubing is likely Polybutylene. QEST fittings often used. That is now banned in home use, so finding fittings for the water system is difficult from my understanding.