I've been using rainwater to water my garden, but with the heat kicking in, I might need to switch back to city water soon. My concern is whether the chlorine and chloramine in city water will harm the beneficial microbes I'm trying to cultivate in the soil. I've installed rain barrels and have been planting seedlings, but if I run out of rainwater, is city water my only option? What can I do to minimize any potential negative effects on my plants?
2 Answers
If you're worried about the chlorine levels, waiting for the water to sit is a budget-friendly option, but there are also chlorine filters you can buy. There are even shower-head versions that can fit onto a hose, which would be effective for your watering needs. Just keep in mind that with chloramines now being used, letting the water sit doesn’t work quite the same as it used to. I've used city water in hot climates for years without issues, but if you have fish, make sure to treat the water first!
It's not perfect, but if your plants are at risk of drying out, it's better to water them with city water than to let them suffer. A good tip is to fill your watering cans or buckets and let them sit for about 24 hours to allow some of the chemicals to dissipate. You can also agitate or circulate the water to help get rid of those chemicals and add some oxygen before you use it on your plants. Testing the water for pH and other factors can be helpful, too, so you know how it compares to your rainwater.
Thanks for the insight! I didn’t realize chloramines were more persistent. It’s good to know city water can work for plants, but I’ll definitely need to treat it for fish if I go that route!