[Public-List] Water systems

[Jim Davis]

The text below was lifted from another board.  The author Peggie Hall is a recognized expert on marine water systems, although her specialty is more in the head department, than drinking water.

This is the regimen we use on Isa Lei, and we do drink the water.  I do at least one more flush than she recommends.

Jim Davis
S/V Isa Lei
CT 35



The following recommendations conform to section 10.8 in the A-1 192 code covering electrical, plumbing, and heating of recreational vehicles. The solution is approved and recommended by competent health officials. It may be used in a new system a used one that has not been used for a period of time, or one that may have been contaminated. 

Before beginning, turn off hot water heater at the breaker; do not turn it on again until the entire recommissioning is complete. 

Icemakers should be left running to allow cleaning out of the water feed line; however the first two buckets of ice-the bucket generated during recommissioning and the first bucketful afterward--should be discarded. 

1. Prepare a chlorine solution using one gallon of water and 1/4 cup (2 oz) Clorox or Purex household bleach (5% sodium Hypochlorite solution ). With tank empty, pour chlorine solution into tank. Use one gallon of solution for each 5 gallons of tank capacity. (Simpler way to calculate: 1 quart bleach/50 gal water tank capacity) 

2. Complete filling of tank with fresh water. Open each faucet and drain cock until air has been released and the entire system is filled. Do not turn off the pump; it must remain on to keep the system pressurized and the solution in the lines 

3. Allow to stand for at least three hours, but no longer than 24 hours. 

4 Drain through every faucet on the boat (and if you haven't done this in a while, it's a good idea to remove any diffusion screens from the faucets, because what's likely to come out will clog them). Fill the tank again with fresh water only, drain again through every faucet on the boat. 

5. To remove excess chlorine taste or odor which might remain, prepare a solution of one quart white vinegar to five gallons water and allow this solution to agitate in tank for several days by vehicle motion. 

6. Drain tank again through every faucet, and flush the lines again by fill the tank 1/4-1/2 full and again flushing with potable water. 

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