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Taber, Alberta

I have to use town water for my pumpkins. I heard on the local radio gardening show that the chlorine and the other things they put in the water to make it drinkable may not be so great for my pumpkins. Is this true? They also said that if I filled some 50 gallon barrels with town water and let it sit for a while, these chemicals will dissipate and the water will be better for growing. Is this true?

Thanks, Alan

11/11/2003 9:17:28 PM

Western Pa.

Call the water company and ask what they use. Chlorine will dissipate if the water is allowed to sit. Our local water company has switched to another chemical other than chlorine, I'm not sure if it will dissipate. Also, be sure to have the water's PH checked. It's as important as the PH of your soil!

11/12/2003 8:17:39 AM

So, concerning the PH would it be best to use rain water?
Martin

11/12/2003 9:38:00 AM

Western NY

Kilr is right, you want to get an idea of pH first. odds are you're ok, i would say anyhting between 5.5 and 7.5 should be ok to water with, but the closer to 7 the better. call your local health department (or your canadian equivalent) to see what they use in the water. if it's chlorine, see what kind of a residual they generally run. most systems are around a 0.20 (i've seen some municipal sysatems get over .8 in places), but i probably wouldn't use it for irrigation unless you either let it set open to the air for quite a while, or throw a little dirt in the water barrel and stir to tie up the free chlorine. they may also use chloramines, which probably won't be so bad for the soil. if they use uv light (unlikley but gaining popularity) you're all set, nothing to worry about. oh, and i wory for my county health department, so i'm no expert, but i know something about it.

Andy

11/12/2003 11:24:24 AM