Water Purification

[Onyva]

Can neither afford, nor find the space for a water-maker and thinking of fitting a Segull water purifyer. Anyone have any experience? Also, does anyone have any idea of the boat's water pressure? (Segull needs 20 psi)...........

 

[charles_reed]

Without knowing the item, I suspect it is an expensive decription for a charcoal filter, which does not decontaminate water.

The problem with boat water systems is thier infrequent use results in bacterial infection. The trouble with pyocyaneus (the one that produces H2S) is that it establishes itself in the pipework and is difficult to shift.

You can purify the system using chlorine (the most common way) which then demands a charcoal filter to get rid of the taste.
An alternative is to use a chelated silver nitrate compound (available freely outside the UK as Aquaclean), this is tasteless and I always dose my water tanks and leave it to stand in the charcoal filter I have fitted.

The major contra-indication to charcoal filters is their propensity to get infected themselves. The better quality ones are traeted with Ag++ salts, but after a long period of use even that is not a certain bactericide.

Most drinking water on teh European mainland is purer than that in the UK. In certain (mainly fishing) ports you may find non-potable water used only for washdown.

 

[Trevethan]

Hope I am not stating the obvious, but I doubt the Seagull purifier will take salt out of the water -- If you are worried about bacterial contamination you can buy various chemicals to kill things off.

If purely a taste issue a Brita type filter will work -- but won't make infected/contaminated bad water good -- but will help remove the chlorine taste if you use certain purifying tablets.

The best type of filter I know of is the Katadyne ceramic filter. basically a very fine porous ceramic filter that prevents bacteria etc from passing through. manual only, fragile and a bit expensive, but invaluable especially for camping etc.

 

[Anonymous]

As Trevethan has said, filters won't desalinate. But assuming you are interested in making fresh water safe and pleasant to drink you could consider the General Ecology range. I have one and am very pleased - they claim that it removes bacteria and viruses as well as a wide range of contaminants. You can view or download the specification here General Ecology

 

[scarlett]

One of the magazines, I think it was PBO, did a very good test on Water Filtres a few years ago. It might be worth trying to find it before spending money. None were tested for desalination properties and from experience in Italian marinas my £20 one does not remove even slight salinity.

 

[Onyva]

Thankyou "Lemain" - which (General Ecology) model do you have (the Nature Pure or Seagull)? & how is your flow rate?

 

[Anonymous]

I have the larger 2000 gallon Seagull. Our water system is 20 psi and it fills a full domestic sized kettle in about 15 seconds. When the water pressure is at its lowest, just before the pump comes on, the flow is quite slow. We use the water for all cooking and drinking and we don't find the flow rate to be an issue. The taste is brilliant; straight from the tank, the water has a taint, but from the filter it tastes better than most bottled water. 100% happy with it and would never have a boat without one again. The 2000 gallon unit is liveaboard size - most people would buy a smaller one for normal usage.

 

[ianabc]

Bog standard water filters from big box home fixin stores are inexpensive (GE brand or similar)

If 2 are run in parallel then the flow is the same as in a home (They are often designed or a special kitchen tap. Didn't use the tap that came in the box, just ran to the existing galley sink tap)

Inexpensive, and refill cartridges come in a variety of levels of purification inc. 99.99 cyst removal.

Entire set up cost seventy U.K. pounds