Fresh drinkable water is something that you will want to have plenty of.  We carry about 90 gallons and that is generally good for a couple of weeks. There are a few things that you should know and practice concerning your freshwater system. The first is to use it. Don’t try to be skimpy with it. Your water system is meant to be used and if it is not, bad things happen. Use your water and refill often. That is one thing that will keep it fresh and good. The second thing is to shock it with a ¼ cup of pure chlorine at the beginning of the season and flush it out completely. If you have more than one tank then you should do this with each one. When you fill your tanks after that add a cap full of chlorine each time. The third thing you should do is have a filter with a carbon element. If you do all of this then you will always have water that is as good as the source every time.

It is also good to have a raw water washdown pump for cleaning the boat and washing off the anchor.    Having this hooked up to a hose near the bow of the boat will make cleaning your boat so much easier.    I also have a raw water faucet in the galley sink to rinse things off and another hose in the cockpit.

Some people will also use their freshwater supply to flush their head. Seawater (salt) will cause odors and buildup of calcium. There is no problem with river water but if you cruise in the ocean any amount being able to use fresh water in your waste system is a good idea.