brown water from freshwater tank

M

margaritaville

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Jun 12, 2007
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26765
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this weekend we filled the water tank as normal - later that day (but also after using the water a few times) we all of a sudden started getting brown water!!

run it for a bit and it goes clear again

then awhile later - more brown!

any idea what might be causing this and what do you recommend for flushing/cleaning the system....the water goes through our vacuflush so I don't want to use anything that will harm the head.....create brown water issues of a different variety!!!

Jen
 
Have you filled the tank anywhere different lately? My guess would be iron (rust) in the water. I'd drain the tank through the faucet(s) and refill before trying anything drastic.
 
Usually brown water is indicative of rust in the water. I take it this is a new problem. Maybe something metal got into your tank and is rusting away? Your entire water system may need to be inspected......I wouldn't drink the water or cook with it until you've "cleared" up the problem. Pun intended!!!!
 
That is weird I don’t think Carver uses any iron parts in the water system. Drain and flush several times. Is there any sediment or smell??
 
Is it hot or cold supply brown, may be hot only which could be being caused by the water heater system, just a thought.
 
we didn't fill up anywhere strange - city water from the marina gas dock

not smelly - and it's strange because it comes and goes

cold water only - hot appears to be fine

I will drain and flush a few times this weekend and see if that does anything...just very weird to happen all of a sudden like that
 
I'm going to guess that if you inspect your lines carefully you'll find an old galvanized fitting in there somewhere....
 
sorry to be dumb, but do you mean right IN the line? or the fitting is a connector

and I'm guessing since it's coming from more than one outlet (galley sink, vanity sink, head) that the problem lies BEFORE the freshwater tank?
 
If it's the plumbing I'd think a fitting... maybe a tee or a nipple, if only cold water then in the cold water line AFTER the tee to the water heater. Somehow that doesn't seem likely.

Thinking about it some more I'd think it's more likely something IN the water tank (silt?), that has settled to the bottom. Movement of the boat (or adding more water) stirs it up and you get dirty water, no movement and it settles to the bottom again. Is the color "rust brown" (plumbing) or "muddy brown" (dirt)?? If the latter flushing the tank out should take care of it. I'd think that would show up in cold AND hot though, unless what gets to the water heater is settling out in the heater.

Very odd....
 
our dock lost its water today for about 8 hours. the dock master mentioned it to us in passing. this makes me wonder if you arrived later that day how easy it would have been to fill holding tanks with some contaminated water.

needless to say thats sure a poor sop on our dock, wonder if docks use a boil advisory or is that a joke?

Our brake was under water as it came off shore to the dock
 
the boat goblins are at it again.... when flushing the tank this weekend - the water ran clear the entire time!

I swear it was brown, really!! :)
 
Having owned boats for many years I don't doubt it one bit. Murphy had to be a sailor.
 
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