After seeing the general architecture of the fresh water circuit of our sailboat, we are interested in how to ensure a quality water and a sustainable system.
CTO and GAC pre-filters for dock water
The GAC and CTO activated carbon filters allow, among other things, to obtain water without taste or smell. They must be changed every 6 to 18 months depending on their size and the consumption of the boat. The size of these filters (6,35x25cm) is sufficient to maintain the flow of the dock. Adding a small fine mesh filter and a pressure reducer upstream will protect them and increase their life span.
But that's not all... these components also have the role of fixing the chlorine contained in more or less important quantities in the dock water. Chlorine, which is harmful to aluminum, is responsible for a slow corrosion of the bottom.
Aluminum tanks: essential precautions
In addition to removing chlorine from the dock water, if your tank is aluminum, it may be a good idea to also prevent electrolytic corrosion with magnesium anodes.
These are often used to protect domestic water heater tanks, and are therefore accessible and economical. It is necessary to have a small supply in advance, because they can degrade quickly.
Obtaining pure, drinkable water
Whether it comes from the tank, the dock or the rain barrel, fresh water can taste bad or be unsafe to drink. This can be solved by using a Doulton drinking water filter. This multi-filter removes heavy metals and unwanted chemical or organic substances. The water is very pure and pleasant to drink. Given its price, it is dedicated exclusively to this purpose.
It should be noted that the flow of filtered water decreases with time. Therefore, the filter should be cleaned from time to time. A small tank can also be placed downstream, or cans or bottles can be used to store drinking water. The Doulton filter can be replaced by a reverse osmosis system, which will require additional maintenance.
Fittings and valves: how to make them durable and reliable?
There are three common ways to make connections: with Teflon, joint compound or sealing resin.
Teflon is quick and easy to apply, but it is rarely durable and must be of good quality to ensure a good seal. Avoid for a pressurized system.
The jointing paste and its yarn are a very common solution in domestic water systems. It is an effective solution, very useful for PVC - Metal fittings.
Finally, the special sealing resin for threaded connections is very effective and allows us to orient our connections as we wish. However, it only works for metal fittings and its action is almost permanent.
Finally, note that brass fittings and valves, which are very common, oxidize in the medium to long term. It is better to replace them with stainless steel equivalents, even if they are more difficult to find, or else with good quality plastic.
