Water odour

[theguvnor]

When first running cold taps ( 3 taps 1 shower head) I get a "rotten eggs" smell for about 10 seconds & then it clears

I have tried purifier additives in the tank, but no help.

Hot water taps are fine

We are using the boat (13m Dutch Steel Cruiser) as liveaboard so lots of water usage

Any suggestions much appriciated

 

[VicS]

I would treat the pipework with a solution of Milton. A hypochlorite solution used in the Uk for sterilising babies' feeding bottles but which I undersand is not available in Holland.

Therefore a dilute solution of a domestic hypochlorite based bleach and rinse thoroughly afterwards.

Easy to say but not so easy to do I am afraid.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Pragmatists answer. Just let the tap run for a few seconds before using the water.

Idealists answer. Empty your tanks. Refill to the top using fresh water to which a strong sterliser has been added. Pump completely through. Refill with fresh water for use.

 

[pampas]

Have suffered for years with tainted water, Aqua tabs seen to do the job, but this year I fitted a renewable carbon water filter, best tasting water that I have ever had,still put the tablets in the water. The filter cost about £25 well spent money. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[EdWingfield]

Peculiar. The rotten egg smell (H2S) is usually associated with anaerobic bacteria - not your pot water tank which is open to air.

I had a similar problem on a ferry where passengers and crew were complaining of smelly water. The water was fine. It turned out to be a smelly drainage system.

Might that be your problem? Use bleach and let it stand for a while. Certainly it's the cheapest and easiest first step.

 

[Twister_Ken]

I'd counsel against using straightforward bleach. It's toxic, rubber doesn't like it much and it takes ages to get rid of the smell. Puritabs, Aquatabs, Steritabs or Milton are some of the friendlier products around.

 

[EdWingfield]

I was advising bleach in the drains, where perfume presumably does not matter.

If using bleach in the pot water system essential use cheap unperfumed own brand supermarket stuff at 5%. I've recommended this to numerous charter yachts and commercial patrol boats etc. and have not heard of damage to systems. (Ships use expensive specialist stuff - typically minimum order £50)

ps. My employer is liable to claims if my recs cause damage, so to do so I have fair confidence in the method.