Cleaning water tank post winterization

[La Maddalena]

I am seeking tips for cleaning the water tank after winterization to get the water to taste as clean as possible. We put a liter of white vinegar in the tank full of water and flushed the tank once - that didn't seem to work. I've also been told to flush the full tank with clorox, then repeat with a second full flush with the white vinegar. Any other suggestions?

 

[Redhook98]

First start with a tank for clean fresh water. That gets most of the pink crap out. Then go for one of two tanks of water and a small amount of bleach. When the tanks are filled with water/bleach, take the boat out for a spin so it slops around the tank. make sure you have that same solution in all of tyour pipes and hot water tank as well. Do this by turning on each hose, spigot or faucet until you smell bleach. After the two tanks of bleach solution, flush with clean water.

After that, I use a little bit of Sweet Water on the initial real fill. Then everytime I top it off, I put a little water additive in with the fresh water (mostly a chlorine based additive). My water is fresh as can be.

Also, at the sink, I have an in-line filter installed, just in case.

 

[Presentation]

1. Use a solution of 1 pint Purex or Clorox bleach to 25 gallons of water). With tank empty, pour chlorine solution into tank.

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.

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

An annual or semi-annual re-commissioning according to the above directions is all that should be necessary to keep your water tasting and smelling as good as anything that comes out of any faucet on land. If you need to improve on that, install a water filter. Just remember that a filter is not a substitute for cleaning out the system, and that filters require regular inspection and cleaning or replacement.

 

[La Maddalena]

Thanks Redhook88 and Presentation - just the info I was looking for. It will be sunny, clear and mid 50's all weekend in Seattle - time to clean the water system!