Stench from Fresh Water Holding Tank

[countrygent5201]

Thanks, folks. My plan is to replace the lines (they're 23 years old anyway), then shock with a couple cups of chlorine, making sure to fill the tank completely and running both faucets long enough to get the bleach solution throughout the entire system. Let this sit overnight, then flush the system with fresh water. If still stinky, repeat. I'm sure my problem came from lack of use. I won't make that mistake again. It had never occurred to me that water in the dock lines could be contaminated, but it makes sense. I'll give the boat a good rinse-down to make sure the dock lines are carrying clean water. Ain't the Internet great?

[scottyt]

last thing if your boat is in the water when you do the bleach fill take it out for a short sail, this will splash and get the bleach every where.

[superiorvoyager]

I had this onece and found that heading out for a good sail in rough water after adding the bleach worked best. Gets it everywhere.