Water tank contamination

[Aeolus]

Any ideas what may have happened to my fresh water tank?

The water has acquired a distinct metallic taste and smell that gets worse the longer the water is kept in the tank. I emptied the tank and gave it a scrub with washing-up liquid, then flushed it but that hasn't made any difference.

It's a plastic tank with plastic pipes leading to a 12v pump and an accumulator. Could it be bacterial? some form of mineral oil contamination (altho there's no oil visible in the water)?

Any ideas?

 

[mormargh]

The smell would suggest algae in the pipes. If you can get the delivery pipe off the faucet/tap, take a look there.

 

[roberth]

Try filling tank and pipework with clean water and sterilising solution - I use stuff sold by home-brew shops for cleaning brewing kit (forget the actual name) - much cheaper than stuff sold in swindleries.

Leave for 24-48 hours, flush thoroughly, repeat. Then fill with clean water, adding one chlorine tab per 40 litres or so.

Flush away and refill if not used within a couple of weeks. I also re-sterilise a couple of times a season, especially in warmer weather.

Works for me - water now crystal clear and odour-free - similar set up to you.

 

[rwakeham]

I use baby bottle sterilising fluid - supermarket own brand -Seems to work well and much cheaper than marine brands. This year I also replaced my cold water pipes which was fairly easy.

 

[roberth]

Yeah, baby bottle fluid available in smaller quantities - I should have mentioned I also brew my own, so have a ready supply of steriliser.