hydrogen sulfite smell in drinking water tank

[Denny Vitton]

In have been experiencing a hydrogen sulfite smell in our boats drinking water tank for some time . I now live in Florida but did not experience this while seasonal sailing in Michigan. I now empty the water tank monthly and refill with Clorox 1/4 cup per 25 gallons. And flush the system until I smell Clorox at every facet. With a week the water again has a strong hydrogen sulfite smell. I also have a engine /electric hot water heater. Does anyone have a solution to this problem.

[ttex]

Can you not look inside the tanks?

You can pour bleach on a dead animal until it smells like chlorine but it won't solve the problem.

[S/V Illusion]

It’s sulfide, not “sulfite” but that’s not important. What you smell is likely the result of a decomposed anode in the tank which should be replaced. Nothing less will eliminate the problem.

[ttex]

Is having an anode in the steel water tanks common? I didn't see anything when I opened mine up. I'm not even sure what it would look like.

Always something new to learn.

[Tin Tin]

Yes, need to check hot water tank anode and also flush hot water tank. Also some fresh water line / outlets that may be overlooked, deck shower, deck washer if fresh supply, clothes washer if installed, water maker flush line etc.

[Tin Tin]

Further issue, make sure you bleach the dock hose line too, especially in warmer climates this hose gets a green algae in it. In addition some marinas do not supply chlorinated town water, it may be bore water. All ways best to use an input filter before the tank, eg Camco RV inline filters or better.

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by ttex

Is having an anode in the steel water tanks common? I didn't see anything when I opened mine up. I'm not even sure what it would look like.

Always something new to learn.

They are discussing the magnesium anode that are found in many hot water tanks.


Bill O.

[Tellie]

What part of Florida are you in, and where do you get your water from, a well or municipal?

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by Tellie

What part of Florida are you in, and where do you get your water from, a well or municipal?

Oh so true, well water can have a heavy sulfur smell to it.

[Chotu]

If you travel from Michigan to Florida, all the tap water has a strong sulfur stink to it. Try some in a restaurant or drink from the dock hose a minute. You'll probably find it's just nasty smelling Florida tap water. Ha ha ha.

Seriously, some of the worst in the world.

[Stu Jackson]

Fresh Water System Recommissioning 101 - Peggie Hall's "Cocktail" Rotten Egg Odor http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5836.0.html

[Chotu]

I should add that if it's truly from the fresh water system, running bleach through the lines gets rid of it.

[GordMay]

Sulfur-reducing bacteria, which use sulfur as an energy source, are the primary producers of large quantities of hydrogen sulfide. These bacteria chemically change natural sulfates in water to hydrogen sulfide. Sulfur-reducing bacteria live in oxygen-deficient environments such as deep wells, plumbing systems, water softeners and water heaters. These bacteria usually flourish on the hot water side of a water distribution system.
Hydrogen sulfide gas also occurs naturally in some groundwater. It is formed from decomposing underground deposits of organic matter such as decaying plant material. It is found in deep or shallow wells and also can enter surface water through springs, although it quickly escapes to the atmosphere. Hydrogen sulfide often is present in wells drilled in shale or sandstone, or near coal or peat deposits or oil fields.
Occasionally, an electric water heater is a source of hydrogen sulfide odor. The magnesium corrosion control rod present in many water heaters can chemically reduce naturally occurring sulfates to hydrogen sulfide.
In rare cases, however, hydrogen sulfide odor may be from sewage pollution which can contain disease-producing contaminants. Therefore, testing for bacterial contamination and Sulfate Reducing Bacteria is highly recommended.
More ➥ https://water-research.net/index.php/sulfur

[a64pilot]

The only thing that doesn’t sound right to me is that it reoccurs after the beach treatment.
I can see in the cold water of Michigan you not having any problems, and then in the warm water in Fl you do.
You either have what I believe is a sessile bacteria growth that is enormously resistant to chlorine, or possibly a source of sulphur smelling water, which isn’t unusual in Fl.

I’d fit a carbon block filter to the water supply line just after the pump.
I have one on my dock water fill hose and fill my tank slowly, slowly because if you blow water through the filter at a high flow rate it doesn’t work as well if the water has some dwell time in the carbon.
But get a carbon block filter, they are more effective than a carbon granule filter.

All our drinking water goes through a seagull filter that is I believe an overpriced, but very effective filter

[Snore]

You got some good advice already. Let me add this- is it hot water? Cold water? Both?

I am OCD on the water quality of my boat. But because she sometimes sits while I am out doing deliveries, the Hot water will get a smell. Usually, if I run it awhile it will clear.