White drinking water hose safe?

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Anyone else had a similar experience which makes me wonder if this type hose is any different than the typical "garden" variety?The boat has the ubiquitous dock water connection to which we have always used the white so-called drinking water-safe hose. When we docked at a marina in Newport last weekend, I hooked up the hose. To make a long story short, I traced the lack of pressure to a large amount of algae clogging the pressure reducer fitting on the transom. Since the algae was clearly from the hose (as I first connected the filter with a new element) and the hose was only sitting for the few hour trip between marinas, I can't understand how this hose allowed algae to grow and collect.As the filter precludes the marina as a source, it could have only been the hose. Has anyone else had a similar problem?

 

[jimq26]

White hose stamped "NSF or FDA" Approved?

I believe that is a prerequisite to ensure that food (water) contact is approved to North American standards. If not, it may be one of those "offshore" items we're becoming way too accustomed to.

 

[Ross]

The algea will grow everywhere if the conditions

are right. I always run the hose for several minutes before I introduce it to my tanks. The NSF and FDA approvals are intended for food service establishments with dedicated water hoses.

 

[newly anonymous]

consumer reports test

the CS research found that some hoses contain lead that leaches into the water.check this link:

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Ross gave you the best information

What you found in your pressure regulator wasn't algae--it needs light, and there is none inside a hose. What you saw was the molds and fungi that thrive in damp dark places...i.e the inside of the dock supply hose and your own dock hose. If you want to prevent it in the future, let the water run till all the water that's been sitting in the dock supply hoses and your own dock hose has been purged, so that all the water you're taking on is only water directly from the main.I suggest that you also recommission your fresh water system at least annually. You'll find directions for doing that in at least 20 places--'cuz that's at least how many times I've posted 'em) in the archives if you search for "fresh water maintenance."

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

thanks for replies

Peggie - it was algae - green and thriving inside the hose which is what surprised me. I understand why you though otherwise but if you had seen it, you'd agree. Why and how it formed inside that type hose is really my question

 

[jimq26]

Sorry Ross - you are incorrect.

West Marine lists FDA approved hose for marine use (as do many other chandleries).These approved hoses are not just for food service establishments as dedicated water supply hose as you suggest.If you are going to drink the water you pipe into your holding tanks, make sure it has the proper approvals stamped on the casing. These food approved hoses are for potable water handling and don't support mold or other "things". Perhaps the link will provide further information.

 

[Mike B]

There's enough light

Not sure about your white hose but mine allows enough light to penetrate and allow for algae growth. Just hold it up and peak inside to see what I mean. There is quite a bit of light that gets through. We get the same green algae that you speak of so I keep a screened washer element where the hose connects to the boat. In addition I do what others have suggested and that is flush the hose of any standing water before connecting it after being away for the week. We keep the water in the tanks chlorinated and it gets run through while we're out sailing or on the hook. As an additional note we never drink the water from either source.Mike

 

[r.w.landau]

Fact is if it is not used regularly and not

maintained like your fresh water system (it needs to be maintained more often because of it's storage and connection to different water services), I wouldn't drink the water. just a thought,r.w.landau

 

[Ross]

Jimq26 if you were running a food service

establishment serving the public and you didn't have approved hose in places where you used hose for potable water they would shut you down. Public health doesn't care what you use to convey water to your private drinking supplies.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Your WHITE hose lets light in??? Or...

Is it actually clear water water hose? You described it as "white" hose, which is the same stuff as sanitation hose (it's approved for both). Fortunately, since it is used for both, it does not let light in! If your hose does let light in, it's "clear" (transluscent actually) water hose...in which case, it cold very well be algae in addition other critters. The same advice still applies: purge all the standing water out of the dock supply line and your dock hose before filling the tank or connecting a shore water connection.The Trident Marine hose site lists all the various types of hoses and the uses they're rated for ("FDA" means that hose is approved by the FDA for use around food): http://www.tridentmarine.com/index.htmBtw, whether you actually drink the water from your fresh water system or not, you ingest a lot more of it than you realize. You wash your hands, then pick up a sandwich...rinse out a cup or a glass, then fill it with a beverage made with "safe" water...wash your face, get it on your lips...wash your dishes in it. So if it hasn't made you sick you yet, it's safe to drink. The only issue is taste/smell, which can be solved by recommissioning the system at least annually and a filter if that's not enough.

 

[jimq26]

Use this hose and you'll not have a problem

Even though "public health" doesn't care, I do, and that's why I use this FDA approved hose both on my boat, and at my mooring to handle potable water. This is from the link I previously posted.FEATURES:  * Bacteria resistant liner will not support microbiological growth. * Made from NSF listed materials and specially formulated in compliance with applicable FDA regulations. * Non-Marking * Solid white cover * Light-weight POTENIAL USE:  * Domestic hot and cold water applications. * Drinking water applications. * Marine / RV Industries * Aviation Industry * Water Purifiers * Bulk water transfer lines where bacterial growth is a problem or concern.TEMPERATURE: 14 F (+4 C) to + 140 F (+65 C) continuous serviceCONSTRUCTION: Tube: NSF listed PVC compound co-extruded with a smooth bacteria resistant liner. Reinforcement: High Tensile Strengh Textile Cord Cover: NSF listed PVC compound - White

 

[Ross]

This is all very good but do you:

Sanitize the ends of the hose before you connect them to the source and the end use?Flush the hose bib before you connect the hose?Couple the ends of the hose together when it is not in use?Drain it before storing it?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Peggie

Yes - it is white, nor clear.As I said originally, it is the same white hose sold by virtually all chandleries and which is very popular at every marina I've ever seen.I never looked at it to see light entering but certainly plan to the next time I'm at the marina as that is the only plausible explanation why algae would be growing in it.We do flush it every time but the flow of water through a hose is laminar and will not, in itself, remove the growth. As it's impractical to treat the hose every weekend, I may go to something more reliable but that doesn't help the thousands of other boaters who also use this type hose...If algae can grow in this stuff, so can mold.

 

[Mike B]

White hose light penetration

Peggy, yes the white hoses you buy from any of the home supply stores are thin enough to allow some light to penetrate. Next time you get a chance look into the end of one in bright sunlight, you'll see what I mean.Mike

 

[jimq26]

Nice Filter Set - up!

(nm)

 

[Benny]

Water passing over green algae remains

drinkable. It is bacteria that you mostly have to be concerned with. Those marina spiggets are not the cleanest items and unless you sanitize them it may not matter what kind of hose you use. Don't quite understand how did the hose develop all that algae in a trip of a couple of hours. We disconnect ours drain it and connect it end to end before storing and had never had that problem. Know some live aboards that leave them connected all the time with pressure on and don't seem to have any problems. I like the white hose mainly because it does not leave green, yellow or black markings on the deck. For algae to grow it needs humidity, heat and light and a source. In warm weather the only factor you can control is light. Disconnect it and store it in a dark locker. Yes, algae and mold are very distinctive so I believe you had algae in the hose from leaving it undrained in the sunlight. Nevertheless, inspect your pressurized water conduits inside the boat. Backflow could move growth from inside your pipes or hoses to the pressure regulator. I agree with peggie, we ingest more of our tank water than we realize and if we don't get sick it is because the water is good or we have created immunity. Don't let some, algae, mold or fungi spoil your fun.

 

[Scott B]

that's assuming

the water at the tap on your dock is still potable. In our marina it travels down the length of the docks in black PVC piping. I doubt that after sitting in the hot sun the water will remian potable even if I use a white water hose to my boat. We use bottled water for coffee and general drinking and use the tank water for dishes only.

 

[Benny]

Where do you think bottled water comes from?

With Coca Cola and some of the other high end bottled water producers recently admiting that they obtained their water from the tap finally the mith of clear running stream water is put to rest. They all insisted that they filtered the water and each had their own formula as far as retention or addition of minerals to improve taste. Even water bottles have coded expiration dates as water will go bad over time. Our water from the tab comes from a goverment entity purification, filtering and delivery system. What the private bottlers do is take advantage of that product, filter it some more and improve the taste and walah, raise the price approximately by 1000% I admit that I buy water bottles for the boat as they are convenient and water is healthier than sodas. I also think that the whole merchandising of bottled water is a ruse so I have been more and more collecting those empty bottles and refilling them. I have two 1 gallon jugs in the boat which I will refill prior to a trip. I have used the boat's tank water for consumption before and never gotten sick but for cooking and drinking I prefer a fresher source.

 

[Ross]

About once a week I buy a 20 ounce coke

and save the empty bottle, refill it with tap water and put it in the freezer. Then when we go to the boat we take about 2 dozen of those and a several 2 liter tonic bottles of ice. We empty all of the extras water into our tanks when we leave the boat and bring the bottles home for refilling and freezing. We never have to buy ice or bottled water. Our slip is 300 feet from the water faucet at the bulkhead and that is too much hose to fool around with. I clean the boat with brushes and a bucket on a rope.