Water smell

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   Good Summer evening Hanse owners.We are enjoying our days in our Hanse 350 .(2008 - 2 cabins config with bathroom aft).
This is our first Summer with it.
When using the deck shower and the bathroom sink, the water comes out with unpleasant and "funny" smell.
A few weeks ago we emptied the clean water tank, washed it and filled it again with a good treatment of bleach. We emptied and filled it again and poured a good amoung of vinegar, making sure the heater was drained as well.
I honestly thought this was enough to get rid of the smell and recover the 
cleaned water flow. At least for shower and to do the dishes.
I have to confess that we did not fully cleaned or treated the brown water tank yet, that we have permanently open to discharge at sea. We do not use it a lot and never in port.
Unfortunately, the first few minutes of water flow in the deck shower and bathroom sink/shower continue to have that smell. After a couple of minutes the smell disappears almost completely.
It does not happen at all with the kitchen sink.
I can only suspect contamination from the brown water circuit that over night flows into the clean water pipes aft of the boat. Is that possible?  Could there be any other reason for this?
As I said, we are new to the boat and there might be a hidden valve somewhere that I don"t know or aother simple/stupid reason for this...
Thank you in advance.

Pack

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Pack396 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Joined: 21 November 2023 Location: Santoña Status: Offline Points: 26	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pack396 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Water smell Posted: 11 August 2025 at 18:21
	Good Summer evening Hanse owners. We are enjoying our days in our Hanse 350 .(2008 - 2 cabins config with bathroom aft). This is our first Summer with it. When using the deck shower and the bathroom sink, the water comes out with unpleasant and "funny" smell. A few weeks ago we emptied the clean water tank, washed it and filled it again with a good treatment of bleach. We emptied and filled it again and poured a good amoung of vinegar, making sure the heater was drained as well. I honestly thought this was enough to get rid of the smell and recover the cleaned water flow. At least for shower and to do the dishes. I have to confess that we did not fully cleaned or treated the brown water tank yet, that we have permanently open to discharge at sea. We do not use it a lot and never in port. Unfortunately, the first few minutes of water flow in the deck shower and bathroom sink/shower continue to have that smell. After a couple of minutes the smell disappears almost completely. It does not happen at all with the kitchen sink. I can only suspect contamination from the brown water circuit that over night flows into the clean water pipes aft of the boat. Is that possible? Could there be any other reason for this? As I said, we are new to the boat and there might be a hidden valve somewhere that I don"t know or aother simple/stupid reason for this... Thank you in advance. Pack
	Pack

Forth2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Commander Joined: 23 October 2016 Location: Finland Status: Offline Points: 77	Post Options Post Reply Quote Forth2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 August 2025 at 04:16
	The smell comes from algae buildup in the faucet. Take it apart and clean the parts and filters. The algae builds up in the shower head. Edited by Forth2 - 12 August 2025 at 10:01

Brufan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 16 December 2010 Location: Belgium Status: Offline Points: 672	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brufan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 August 2025 at 08:33
	"contamination from the brown water circuit" NO WAY impossible. But algae in plumbing are the first culprit. Re-clean the system and leave bleached water stay of one week or so.
	Bruno hanse 355 - 57 S/Y Spicy Ginger White hull, 2 cabins, Volvo D1-30, Selden rig, removable mainsheet track system, Simrad (now B&G)-Jefa autopilot.

Mark Pullen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 20 July 2022 Location: London, UK Status: Offline Points: 90	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mark Pullen Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 August 2025 at 17:14
	Hi, firstly, there is no connection between the black water tank and the fresh water system. You should be able to follow the black water exit pipe from the seacock to the bottom of the tank. Likewise from the heads to the top of the tank. Re the fresh water system flush, a few questions: 1) How full was the water tank when you flushed? 2) How much bleach did you use in the tank? 3) What type of bleach? 4) Does the smell occur when using hot, cold or both? Checking the fittings sounds like a good start...
	Mark



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