Safe hose/charcoal (?) filter

Richandhelen

Richandhelen

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Feb 3, 2014
94
Hunter 44 aft cockpit Miami, FL
We were made aware that our dockside hose is not "drinking water" safe. And it seems that the hoses that are up to CA lead specs are still made of PVC which gives no great comfort. Rubber hoses are apparently better. Any experts out there?

Next, onboard filters that would filter both water tanks and the ice maker. Has anyone done an installation? Type? Brand? Location? effectiveness?:confused:

Thanks!
 
uncledom

uncledom

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Jun 11, 2011
1,243
Hunter 41 Lewes
I use the WM inline filter for both filling the tanks and connecting shore water to the water system of the boat. It works well, I use two a year.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,093
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
1. Hoses - Look at WM or Defender catalog. They have "drinking safe" hoses listed, as compared to "regular" hose. You could then trace the manufacturer down and find them on the internet and find out more about the product. Personally, we've been using "regular" hoses for the past 35 years and haven't died from it yet. I have died from other causes. :) We wash the boat first, so that whatever water had been sitting in the hose AND the pipes down the dock, are long gone. Everyone has different immune systems. I went to summer camp as a kid, ate the food and swam in the Lake. Doesn't mean I'm completely immune, just that we have had no issues. YMMV.

2. Filters - Here's a link to a loooooooooong discussion which was started by a young lady brand new to boating who bought a 53 foot motoryacht! :eek:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f115/water-filtration-question-127876.html

Some of her comments may seem weird, but the point is that there are many, many references and details and links to water filters that are rather priceless - I've never seen so many in one place with great descriptions. Enjoy reading and checking out the links.

Given 1 & 2 above, we don't use water filters, either. We're gonna die!!!:doh:Many of our C34 skippers use pre-filters before they even put water in their tanks, then filter them through faucet mounted filter and then into Brita filter carafes.

A lot depends on where you get your water from, also. Wells are different than city sources, and city sources vary all over the place.

We use our boat a lot, so the water in our tanks gets turned over very rapidly.

Your boat, your choice.
 
thinwater

thinwater

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Mar 26, 2011
3,767
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
Practical Sailor will have ~ 3-4 articles coming out over the next few months, taking this topic piece-by-piece.


  1. Is there any more information regarding "not drinking water safe?" Is this a CYA, or are there specific test results that indicate a failure? Chemical or biological? Without knowing the problem everything is guess work. But it sounds like CYA. That said, when cruising water will vary.
  2. Carbon filters can make biological problems worse (granular carbon is great for growing bugs) when used in systems without continuous chlorination. Arguably, they have no place on a boat. Carbon block or ceramic are more to the point.
  3. What does a success story mean? You have to ask the user. Do you mean it flowed fast enough, did not plug, or that the water tasted OK? As for many chemical and most biological factors, you are asking people to judge what they cannot see. Detailed NSF specifications (not just a label, but the specific ratings) and proper system design are what you must rely on.
And then there is the whole subject of chlorination. You can add bleach or tablets, which is probably the most effective way to reduce odors, taste, and biological threats. Google will get you dosage, but if you can smell it the next day AT ALL it is enough. Aquarium stores sell cheap test tapes (any detectable amount is enough). The required amount depends on the water.


Some will suggest hydrogen peroxide. The problem is it is NOT rated for disinfection of water at any dose you can reach with drug store bottles. It takes a lot, more than you should be drinking.



These are also reviewed. One brand of tablets turned out to be very nearly non-corrosive to aluminum, which was neat.
 
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