It happened to me and I know it has happed to others. About 19 gal. of diesel fuel was accidently put in one of my 60 gal. F/G water tanks. It was profesionally pumped out and cleaned using dishsoap, but I doubt if it is ready to be used for drinking. How can I fully restore the tank to drinking water quality?
It can happen.
- Thread starter dickforth
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Man, oh man!!!
Bad news!!!! If it happened to me, I would not even bother trying to clean a fiberglass potable supply tank myself. Rather, I would be nose to nose with the owner of the fuel dock insisting on a tank removal and replacement. Even though diesel is biodegradeable and flushing with chemicals could eventually make the tank safe I would insist on 100% assurance of removal or replacement. Its the darn principal of the error and responsbility of the facility to make it right and make it fast. Heck, I am furious just thinking about this and it did not happen to me!!!!!!!!!!! Bob Catalina 30
Bad news!!!! If it happened to me, I would not even bother trying to clean a fiberglass potable supply tank myself. Rather, I would be nose to nose with the owner of the fuel dock insisting on a tank removal and replacement. Even though diesel is biodegradeable and flushing with chemicals could eventually make the tank safe I would insist on 100% assurance of removal or replacement. Its the darn principal of the error and responsbility of the facility to make it right and make it fast. Heck, I am furious just thinking about this and it did not happen to me!!!!!!!!!!! Bob Catalina 30
Bob,
Bob, you are correct if a fuel dock did this. But in my area, and every where I have been in the last couple of years, no fuel dock will put the fuel in the boat. Around here, they hand you the fuel hose, and you pump your own. The reasons are the liability of spilling diesel. Even a small spill of a few drops and get you a hefty fine, if spotted by the wrong/right person. So the fuel docks I frequent, require the boater to pump his own. Another item, along the same lines. When I went with Clewless, Seadance's hubby, to pick up their boat last month in Fla. we were filling the water tank. Seemed like it took a long time to fill, and then we saw the water. Pouring out of an overflowing head. On first inspection, it appeared that somehow the water fill was tied into the head discharge. Closer insection revealed that the head pump out fitting, had a water fill cap on it. So there is more than one possibility here. Lets not jump to conclusions.
Bob, you are correct if a fuel dock did this. But in my area, and every where I have been in the last couple of years, no fuel dock will put the fuel in the boat. Around here, they hand you the fuel hose, and you pump your own. The reasons are the liability of spilling diesel. Even a small spill of a few drops and get you a hefty fine, if spotted by the wrong/right person. So the fuel docks I frequent, require the boater to pump his own. Another item, along the same lines. When I went with Clewless, Seadance's hubby, to pick up their boat last month in Fla. we were filling the water tank. Seemed like it took a long time to fill, and then we saw the water. Pouring out of an overflowing head. On first inspection, it appeared that somehow the water fill was tied into the head discharge. Closer insection revealed that the head pump out fitting, had a water fill cap on it. So there is more than one possibility here. Lets not jump to conclusions.
Stuff Happens.....
Dick, I'm doubtful that you'll ever remove all traces of diesel fuel from the tank. You can try a mixture of baking soda and water, letting it stand for a few days, then rinsing with clean water, and then a mixture of lemon juice and water. Failing this, I'd be in touch with my insurance company, or , switch the tank over to non potable use only if it can't be easily removed and replaced. Hopefully there is a lesson learned here. I'm guessing that either (1) this is a new to you boat, and you simply opened the wrong fill, or (2) you had guest crew and he stuck the fill in the first available hole. Mistakes happen, and all we can do is learn from them, and take measures to assure that we won't make the same or a similar mistake again.
Dick, I'm doubtful that you'll ever remove all traces of diesel fuel from the tank. You can try a mixture of baking soda and water, letting it stand for a few days, then rinsing with clean water, and then a mixture of lemon juice and water. Failing this, I'd be in touch with my insurance company, or , switch the tank over to non potable use only if it can't be easily removed and replaced. Hopefully there is a lesson learned here. I'm guessing that either (1) this is a new to you boat, and you simply opened the wrong fill, or (2) you had guest crew and he stuck the fill in the first available hole. Mistakes happen, and all we can do is learn from them, and take measures to assure that we won't make the same or a similar mistake again.
Nice N Easy
The last time I stopped at LuLu's (on the way back from this year's Gulfport to Pensacola race) my diesel tank was filled by one of the most attractive fuel attendants I have seen anywhere. And she was very careful not to spill any.
The last time I stopped at LuLu's (on the way back from this year's Gulfport to Pensacola race) my diesel tank was filled by one of the most attractive fuel attendants I have seen anywhere. And she was very careful not to spill any.
Then I am spoiled......
They provide diesel at only one marina at Lake Lanier, so the marina fuel docks have attendants all day who do nothing but fuel your boat. It might be an Army Corps of Engineers requirement and who knows maybe these attendants are event certified in tank filling! I have yet to be given a hose to fill the fuel myself. With that, I was under the impression that the vessel was filled by the attendant, but Dickforth has yet to chime in let us know just who filled up the tank. If the vessel was filled by the attendant then I certainly would hold them liable for the error. I doubt that you could ever get a potable water tank and attached feed line clean enough for potable supply storage again, unless the tank and several lines were removed, professionally cleaned and restored. I would opt for a new tank and fill line. Our Catalina 30 came with the chrome filler caps with the "Fuel" and "Water" imprints. We switched out to colored caps that we found (red-fuel, black-waste and blue-water) that makes it quite obvious what goes where. Either way, it was a terrible mistake which we should all learn from. Bob
They provide diesel at only one marina at Lake Lanier, so the marina fuel docks have attendants all day who do nothing but fuel your boat. It might be an Army Corps of Engineers requirement and who knows maybe these attendants are event certified in tank filling! I have yet to be given a hose to fill the fuel myself. With that, I was under the impression that the vessel was filled by the attendant, but Dickforth has yet to chime in let us know just who filled up the tank. If the vessel was filled by the attendant then I certainly would hold them liable for the error. I doubt that you could ever get a potable water tank and attached feed line clean enough for potable supply storage again, unless the tank and several lines were removed, professionally cleaned and restored. I would opt for a new tank and fill line. Our Catalina 30 came with the chrome filler caps with the "Fuel" and "Water" imprints. We switched out to colored caps that we found (red-fuel, black-waste and blue-water) that makes it quite obvious what goes where. Either way, it was a terrible mistake which we should all learn from. Bob
Cheer up
Consider the consequences if 19 gallons of water had been pumped into the diesel tank. Your engine would have injested water instead of you tasting diesel.
Consider the consequences if 19 gallons of water had been pumped into the diesel tank. Your engine would have injested water instead of you tasting diesel.
Try a few magnums of Vohdka
I think diesel mixes with ethyl alcohol. Pump the tank out as much as you can then pour in a few gallons of vohdka. Go sailing so it mixes around, then pump it out. Do that a few times and if the water is still undrinkable you won't care.
I think diesel mixes with ethyl alcohol. Pump the tank out as much as you can then pour in a few gallons of vohdka. Go sailing so it mixes around, then pump it out. Do that a few times and if the water is still undrinkable you won't care.
Pumped fuel at LuLu's
Boy I have been missing out. I have been to Lulu's and fueled up maybe half a dozen times since Katrina. Have never had anyone pump my fuel, and have not even seen a good looking attendant. How long ago was this.
Boy I have been missing out. I have been to Lulu's and fueled up maybe half a dozen times since Katrina. Have never had anyone pump my fuel, and have not even seen a good looking attendant. How long ago was this.
Hey Sandy Stone
Sandy Stone, Where are you located in Slidell. I live in Eden Isles. Usually head east out of here, if the Hwy.90 bridge is working. Been too hot lately, but about to get into sailing season. What kind of boat do you sail, and whats the name. I sail a Seidelman 37, goes by the name of Candida. Sometimes it's a small world.
Sandy Stone, Where are you located in Slidell. I live in Eden Isles. Usually head east out of here, if the Hwy.90 bridge is working. Been too hot lately, but about to get into sailing season. What kind of boat do you sail, and whats the name. I sail a Seidelman 37, goes by the name of Candida. Sometimes it's a small world.
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