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Home > Freshwater On Board
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Freshwater On Board by Terry Buddell
Often when buying a new boat it is extremely easy to over look the state of the water supply. Lost in the wonder of the teak furniture and brass fittings it doesn't seem important when a couple of treads on the tap pump produce a gurgle, a puff of dust and an irritated spider. Even if you've owned your boat for years and with cruising time at a premium it is often the most simple of jobs that will be put to one side.
A common problem on board a boat will be the availability of a fresh sweet supply of drinking water. Many of the boats I've shipped aboard had water supplies that, quite frankly, I wouldn't allow a dog to drink...so, what happens to the clear fresh stuff that ends up in your onboard tanks to make it taste so foul?
Delivery hosesQuite often a primary sources of contamination is the Marina hose itself. This much maligned piece of equipment is left to lay around in all weathers in puddles of diesel and fish heads, steaming in the sun. Small wonder that groups of algae proliferate inside and get washed into unsuspecting water tanks. Having your own hose on board alleviates this problem but this hose must be stored in a cool and dry place on board.
The tanksOnce on board, the fresh water mixes into the existing water remaining in the tanks that is already suspect and the cycle begins over. Many tanks are fitted with inspection hatches but all to often it's too much bother even to look at the tank, let alone drain it and remove the hatch for tank cleaning. If you are one of the odd one or two in a million you'll scrape out the sediment and brush or wet-vacuum the residue. Calcium deposits can be removed with a solution of Caustic Soda. Care, gloves and goggles required here please!
Another small but positive source of contamination is a tank vent hole that is damaged or worn, allowing ingress of dirt and insects back into the tank. A 'gooseneck' that rises in a 180º bend above the pipe will help the situation here.
Tanks, incidentally are placed generally according to the wisdom of the Naval Architect with due regard to stability and space requirements. Any extra tanks or containers for storing water must be stored sensibly. At over 10lbs per gallon it must be placed where it can't crash around causing instability, damage and leaks.
Another couple of points to watch for with tanks is if they have been home made or even added later, it's not unusual for a single wall to divide water and fuel in one unit. This is to be avoided like the plague as badly made tanks develop leaks by osmotic action and contamination. Water in the fuel is disastrous and styrene that leaches from the fibreglass is no less than a poison, which if taken in sufficient amounts can cause ill health to say the least. If a tank is suspected, condemn it or at the very least flush it out with acetic acid and water. It then must be dried and re-surfaced inside with epoxy and the correct coatings to seal the tanks inside.
PipesPlastic pipes are a real bonus in today's plumbing systems but many pipes to be found on board are of the incorrect grade of plastic. These must be the correct 'drinking or potable water' grade as the wrong pipes taint the taste forever. If any pipes are clear and exposed to light, algal growths can grow inside. These particular horrors are normally green and slimy, fairly harmless but make the water taste totally stagnant! Never position a water tank or pipes close to a heat source such as engine or exhaust pipe as the warm water increases chances of bacteria breeding with nasty results in taste and colour.Wherever plumbing pipes area cracked or damaged, replace them immediately. Once every 18 months it's good practise to seal up all outlets and flush the whole system with a mild bleach solution and flush well with water. Many chandlers stock suitable pipe cleaners. Remember, most pubs flush their pipes out at least once a week!
FiltersAlthough blindingly obvious, replaceable filter cartridges are often forgotten, year after year, hidden away under floorboards. If the cartridge is ten years old, it will be filled with ten years worth of trapped gunge, check 'em out then throw 'em out!
FinallyAs with all chores that consume time and energy on board, a complete strip down of the water system may not ever be considered a priority if you only haunt inland waters. However, if your plans are of the sea-faring sort, be careful. A little hard work now could well prevent a disaster that could contaminate all your precious supplies. As an added precaution, keep plenty of bottled spring water on board in case of the ultimate emergency. Once clean, the tanks can be kept fresh by using proprietary brands of Calcium Hypochlorite tablets that can be added to the tanks from time to time. If in doubt at all, boil all supplies of water and be suspect of ice cubes! Nine litres a day per person is an average amount per person to plan for but conditions may alter, forcing increased consumption- plan ahead!
The old saying 'Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink' can become horribly true at sea. At best, the wife, kids and friends won't be pleased if you wreck their holiday with belly aches and plastic flavoured tea...Yuk!
About the Author
Terry Buddell is a freelance journalist and a Marine surveyor, boat designer and shipwright,
He lives on board his yacht "The Nicky J Miller' that he built himself in The Gold Coast Australia and
has sailed his yacht up the East Coast to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. He is currently resident in Gladstone Queensland where he is building another boat for his collection! Terry can be contacted on arcus1@bigpond.com (http://www.mailto:arcus1@bigpond.com) or http://www.dolphinboatplans.com
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