Marina Hose Removal for H&S?

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Bandit

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originally posted on Motor Boat forum, all info welcome.


In Guernsey I saw a sign today from the harbour authority that all marina hoses are being removed for Health and Safety reasons.

I checked my calendar and it was not the first of April ?

I understand that this is to reduce the risk of legionella and other nasties growing in the water in the hose?

Personally before I put the end in my tank I let the water run at full power for a minute or so.

How many of your marinas have removed the hoses for H&S reasons?

How many of you use a chlorine based treatment in your tanks, does chlorine kill Legionaires nasties?
 
Bandit said:
originally posted on Motor Boat forum, all info welcome.


In Guernsey I saw a sign today from the harbour authority that all marina hoses are being removed for Health and Safety reasons.

I checked my calendar and it was not the first of April ?

I understand that this is to reduce the risk of legionella and other nasties growing in the water in the hose?

Personally before I put the end in my tank I let the water run at full power for a minute or so.

How many of your marinas have removed the hoses for H&S reasons?

How many of you use a chlorine based treatment in your tanks, does chlorine kill Legionaires nasties?
Click to expand...


It was Water regs / Bylaws
 
For a start I never put the end of the hose into my tank, I hold it clear and aim !

The hose end will have been in the water, which is probably contaminated by diesel and sea toilets.

Funnily enough the worst water contamination I ever had was at St Peter Port, I later found lots of bits of green weed like lettuce leaves in the tank; fortunately my tank has good access to the top to allow emptying completely, and yes by the time we got to Salcombe we had severe stomach upsets, hence looking in the tank.

That was 1885 though.

I don't think hoses should be removed, just the supply monitored and care taken as outlined above.
 
Seajet said:
Funnily enough the worst water contamination I ever had was at St Peter Port, I later found lots of bits of green weed like lettuce leaves in the tank; fortunately my tank has good access to the top to allow emptying completely, and yes by the time we got to Salcombe we had severe stomach upsets, hence looking in the tank.

That was 1885 though.
Click to expand...
We've moved on a bit lately. You'll probably take some time to catch up :D
 
sailorman said:
It was Water regs / Bylaws
Click to expand...

Indeed. Probably due to 'suck back' that occurs when there is a break in the water main. Businesses are required to have a break in the water so that no foul can end up back in the system - commonly achieved using a ball valve/tank system. If there is a chance of the hose dangling in the sea on such an occasion the water companies will not like it.
 
Pye_End said:
Indeed. Probably due to 'suck back' that occurs when there is a break in the water main. Businesses are required to have a break in the water so that no foul can end up back in the system - commonly achieved using a ball valve/tank system. If there is a chance of the hose dangling in the sea on such an occasion the water companies will not like it.
Click to expand...
So what do non return valves do
 
We had this nonsense at Mylor a few years ago. Eventually they dug a borehole and used their own water, hoses and sanity returned. :)
 
When I went through this experience with them (non-marine business, but probably same thinking) then they would not accept double check valves on a hose as sufficient. No idea why not. Perhaps they fail? We either had to put a tank in or remove the hose.
 
Yes WRAS regulations.....but interpretation depends on different water authorities.

Many feel that IF there is a chance hose ends can go in water, then there has to be a break tank and double check valves on every tap, or a heated RPZ valve which has to be tested every year at vast cost.

Simple answer is to remove hoses...boat owners supply their own and hence remove them after use.....problem solved.
 
Pye_End said:
When I went through this experience with them (non-marine business, but probably same thinking) then they would not accept double check valves on a hose as sufficient. No idea why not. Perhaps they fail? We either had to put a tank in or remove the hose.
Click to expand...
Much the same as those nasty foreign urinal flush buttons instead of our cisterns. remember we didnt allow mixer taps with one spout but we now do coz europe says we can
 
I think you would find when they returned to borehole and returned hoses there was a lot more going on in the background , not as simples as you make out .

Companys etc have a legal obligation to look at water use in their businesses and risk assess same , infortunately hoses left with water in sun are ideal scenarios for the growth of biofilms which in turn feeds legionella and other nastys , bio film at its worse is the jelly like substance that folks often report of finding in their water pipes on boats , boats being ideal growing grounds ,

Water stored above 20c and below 60 c are considered risks , pipes that let light through through , like blue alkathene , hosepipes , stagnant water or water not in regular use , shower heads , hoses , water butts , yes boats are not used regularily or attaining above temps risk too.

Just google acop L8 i wont go on and bore you .

Chlorine is poor at killing off legionella as it doesnt effectively eat into the biofilms , silver hydrogen peroxide as i use in business has proved to be more effective ,


I also dose my water tanks aboard with it , its tasteless , infact will transform boat tank immediately into something you would even put in a dram , effective at levels that are safe to drink and ideal for the private boat scenario.


I would like to think that marinas would take on board treating their water as they should , they could even advertise it as a feature of their marina ,

In short unless law is changed you will see more measures coming through as businesses realise their liabilities , responsibilities and consequences .
 
Excellent idea to remove communal hoses. They are breeding grounds for bacteria, and you never know what the last person used it for. Is it too much to ask that you use your own hose?

The only time I used a marina hose my tanks became gunged up with a green algae, it looked like snot, and it blocked the inlet filter on the pump. Never again.
 
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