Chlorine in my city water.

[IamN2pot]

What a load of bullshit this is. Where do you come up with this garbage.

Do yourselves a favor and ignore this crap. if some of you want a deeper explanation of water treatment ill go through it tonight after work. But most of you can find the info easily online.

time to start clearing up some of the bad info here. Its one thing to speculate and give an opinio, its whole nother thing to present it as fact when its false.

they buffer the ph to prevent things like flint Michigan where the water is acidic and erodes coatings on the piping that will end up eroding the pipes after and leech heavy metal into the supply. In the case of flint lead pipes

There are max levels for acceptable drinking water.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on chlorine, but even more so on Chloramine and how to get rid of it!. A water treatment plant is less than 1/4 mile from our home and the water often smells like chlorine. Thanks.
EDIT:I see you alredy answered that.

4. 1 gram of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) will neutralize 1ppm of chlorine or chloramine in 100gal of water.

 

[BigBlonde]

Friend I was looking at your plant photos and noticed that you have a lot of leaf bronzing and leaf toxicity. If you started with clean RO water you wouldn't have that problem with your plants. I hope you don't mind me trying to help.

Thanks, but we're sure the problem wasn't the water.

 

[Aqua Man]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on chlorine, but even more so on Chloramine and how to get rid of it!. A water treatment plant is less than 1/4 mile from our home and the water often smells like chlorine. Thanks!

Max allowance is 4ppm most are 1 ppm not an issue for our needs.

ascorbic acid at a dose of 1 gram per 100gal will neutralize 1 ppm of chlorine or chloramine.

if I remember correctly chloramine is ammonium bound to chlorine. This bond is string so you need to break it chemically. It can last for weeks unlike chlorine that will off gas in about 24hrs.

both chlorine and chloramine react with organics and are destroyed in the process

 

[BigBlonde]

The quotes below are from a CDC article: Water Disinfection with Chlorine and Chloramine.

Chloramines are a group of chemical compounds that contain chlorine and ammonia. The particular type of chloramine used in drinking water disinfection is called monochloramine which is mixed into water at levels that kill germs but are still safe to drink.

Unlike chlorine, chloramine cannot be removed by letting water sit out for a few days.

Research shows that chloramine and chlorine both have benefits and drawbacks. Chlorine is a highly effective method of disinfection. However, while in the pipes it produces small amounts of chemicals (called “disinfection by-products”) if the source water has higher levels of dirt or germs that may react with chlorine. Chlorine is also used up quickly in water systems. Sometimes there is not enough chlorine left to kill germs in the water by the time it reaches the end of the pipes. Chloramine can last longer in the water pipes and produces fewer disinfection by-products.

 

[99stang]

So chloramine shouldn't kill my organic bacteria in my soil? I'm using mycorrhizae and black strap molasses for the first time ever.

 

[BigBlonde]

So chloramine shouldn't kill my organic bacteria in my soil?

From what I've read it does, but microorganisms rebound quickly: Impact of Watering Lawns and Gardens with Chlorinated Water.

Researchers have found that chlorinated drinking water may kill a number of microorganisms in soil or a compost pile. However, their reproduction rate is so rapid that populations rebound in a short time. Under normal conditions, chlorinated water will not threaten microorganism populations.

Also...

One reason chlorinated water has little impact is that chlorine binds to soil particle surfaces. This immobilizes chlorine and reduces its ability to kill microorganisms. The organisms in the topmost surface of soil or a compost pile may be affected after irrigation but as the water moves downward little chlorine remains. In one study, researchers found that water chlorinated at 5 parts per million killed organisms only in the top half inch of soil. Organisms deeper than one half inch were thriving.

 

[Aqua Man]

From what I've read it does, but microorganisms rebound quickly: Impact of Watering Lawns and Gardens with Chlorinated Water.

Also...

yup and thats 5x more than whats in your drinking water

 

[Shaded_One]

Friend I was looking at your plant photos and noticed that you have a lot of leaf bronzing and leaf toxicity. If you started with clean RO water you wouldn't have that problem with your plants. I hope you don't mind me trying to help.

Funny. The only time I've had leaf bronzing and dead tissue was from using RO water.

 

[Harpua88]

This is all interesting stuff. As someone who grew up and lives in New York City (and also way upstate), we've always been proud of our drinking water, lucky enough to have it flow right down to us. I'm left with more questions than answers though.......

The source water may be great, but then it needs to travel through a network of pipes, underground, including whatever building one lives in (ours was built in the late 50s). Adding a little Vitamin C to take care of Chlorine or Chloramine seems to be the easiest of solutions there, (we can probably find out from our city/town how they treat our water, if it's chlorine, let it sit overnight, if it's chloramine, go Vit C), but it's all the other possible pollutants, heavy metals, industrial chemicals, herbicides/pesticides, or things with long scary names. We're talking about our plants here, but of course the water we drink is about as important as can be. I tell my wife to not use plastic water bottles over and over, who knows what plastics are breaking down and leeching into the water. But we should definitely be comcerned about the plants we consume......some things may make it into the final product, now we're smoking it, that opens up other possible problems.

We use the Zero Water filter system, we used to use Brita, but I guess Zero Water is better, and looking at that hose attachment filter......any filter.....at some point the filter becomes filled with whatever is being filtered out, and now are we drinking water that's being run through a filter of the same accumulated crap we don't want in the first place? Are we collecting bad things and then essentially making tea out of it? Ok, sure.....change the filter often. How often? And does that mean that early on the water is clean but near the end of the filter's life, not so good....?

I'm trying to figure out the best way to get the best water......for us and the plants. Should we go with a filtration system as the water comes into the house? We're talking "clean" mountain water, but it's on the "hard" side. If we do water softening does that open up other problems? Then there's Ph to consider. Yes it would be nice to use our rain water, but no, that's going to bring in other unwanted things. Unless we had a system that collected it and immediately protected it.....

So I've decided. Morning dew water collected from baby rose petals, immediately boiled, filtered through a Zero Water filter, then run through reverse osmosis..... ;)

 

[Code347]

Should I be concerned about the fact I'm using city water. I'm comfortable drinking it, but I can smell chlorine in it. And I'm not buying bottled water for my plants. Thoughts? My outdoor plants were fine and indoor but this grow, I don't want chlorine killing my organic bacteria as I have a total organic grow going.

As a home beer brewer and grower I would suggest you purchase a 10in cartridge filter with a activated char coal filter. Widely avalible at Lowes or Home Depot. This will take care of your water needs. A good way to test your water is to fill a soda bottle 1/2 way and shake it. Now CAREFULLY take a slight smell of the water in the bottle. The resulting smell of chemicals will help you decide to purchase a filter.

 

[Peat_Phreak]

Actual science says the levels of chlorine or chloramine found in tap water do not harm crops. U of Nebraska did the study.

 

[Peat_Phreak]

This is all interesting stuff. As someone who grew up and lives in New York City (and also way upstate), we've always been proud of our drinking water, lucky enough to have it flow right down to us. I'm left with more questions than answers though.......

The source water may be great, but then it needs to travel through a network of pipes, underground, including whatever building one lives in (ours was built in the late 50s). Adding a little Vitamin C to take care of Chlorine or Chloramine seems to be the easiest of solutions there, (we can probably find out from our city/town how they treat our water, if it's chlorine, let it sit overnight, if it's chloramine, go Vit C), but it's all the other possible pollutants, heavy metals, industrial chemicals, herbicides/pesticides, or things with long scary names. We're talking about our plants here, but of course the water we drink is about as important as can be. I tell my wife to not use plastic water bottles over and over, who knows what plastics are breaking down and leeching into the water. But we should definitely be comcerned about the plants we consume......some things may make it into the final product, now we're smoking it, that opens up other possible problems.

We use the Zero Water filter system, we used to use Brita, but I guess Zero Water is better, and looking at that hose attachment filter......any filter.....at some point the filter becomes filled with whatever is being filtered out, and now are we drinking water that's being run through a filter of the same accumulated crap we don't want in the first place? Are we collecting bad things and then essentially making tea out of it? Ok, sure.....change the filter often. How often? And does that mean that early on the water is clean but near the end of the filter's life, not so good....?

I'm trying to figure out the best way to get the best water......for us and the plants. Should we go with a filtration system as the water comes into the house? We're talking "clean" mountain water, but it's on the "hard" side. If we do water softening does that open up other problems? Then there's Ph to consider. Yes it would be nice to use our rain water, but no, that's going to bring in other unwanted things. Unless we had a system that collected it and immediately protected it.....

So I've decided. Morning dew water collected from baby rose petals, immediately boiled, filtered through a Zero Water filter, then run through reverse osmosis..... ;)

Zero Water filter produces RO results more expensively and less conveniently.

If your tap water is less than 150ppm, then you don't need RO. You can use a basic carbon filter (GAC) to remove heavy metals and low level chemical contaminants. It also removes chlorine that doesn't matter.

If your water is higher than 200ppm or has high levels of Na or Cl, then consider RO.

 

[Aqua Man]

And if you run a water softener then for sure RO. It works by ion exchange and will pull minerals like Ca, Mg etc and replace them with sodium ions

 

[Mikedin]

As a home beer brewer and grower I would suggest you purchase a 10in cartridge filter with a activated char coal filter. Widely avalible at Lowes or Home Depot. This will take care of your water needs. A good way to test your water is to fill a soda bottle 1/2 way and shake it. Now CAREFULLY take a slight smell of the water in the bottle. The resulting smell of chemicals will help you decide to purchase a filter.

I just leave this on the hose I use for water

 

[Harpua88]

Zero Water filter produces RO results more expensively and less conveniently.

If your tap water is less than 150ppm, then you don't need RO. You can use a basic carbon filter (GAC) to remove heavy metals and low level chemical contaminants. It also removes chlorine that doesn't matter.

If your water is higher than 200ppm or has high levels of Na or Cl, then consider RO.

Ok good, thank you......I have a water tester and I'll check it out.

 

[Trixie]

NO disrespect to you aqua man but you need to do your research or talk to a hydrology engineer before you disqualify important information. I didn't mean to scare you but it's true about water treatment systems altering the pH before water is used for public drinking. There are laws that demand water treatment guidelines with water purification in the USA.

Environmental Protection Agency or EPA
EPA enforces federal clean water and safe drinking water laws, provides support for municipal wastewater treatment plants, and takes part in pollution prevention efforts aimed at protecting watersheds and sources of drinking water. Trix

At what pH are heavy metals affected?
Then, generally, there was a decrease in concentrations of heavy metals with an increase in pH. At pH 8 a significant decrease in the concentration of nickel and chromium was found, whereas at pH 9 for copper. The amount of copper released at pH 9 was even 6.5 thousand times lower than at pH 3. Feb 15, 2020 Google

How do heavy metals affect pH in water?
At low pH, the solubility of metals tends to be high, and chemicals like cyanide and sulfide become more toxic. Acidic waters also corrode metal pipes. Therefore, heavy metals in water with a low pH tend to be more toxic, as they become more soluble and bioavailable. Google

Why is drinking water above 7.8 out of the pipes.
What pH level can dissolve metal?
Results showed that metals were sparingly soluble under alkaline conditions (pH = 8.0). Metal solubilities were higher when under slightly acidic conditions (pH = 5.0), and increased drastically when pH was kept at 3.3. Google

Canada's laws may be a little different but the same chemistry applies to all metal pipes.

 

[Peat_Phreak]

When you start with clean filtered water compared to tap water the results are night and day difference.

That depends on what the tap water contains. Tap water varies quite a bit by location. Many people have good tap water that is totally fine for growing plants.

All tap water will contain very small amounts of substances that could be detrimental in larger amounts. It can be filtered out with a basic carbon filter that will leave behind 90% or more of the ppm.

I only use basic filtered tap water. The ppm is around 150. It needs some acid, then it's good to go. No leaf issues. How could switching to RO make a big difference here?

 

[Aqua Man]

NO disrespect to you aqua man but you need to do your research or talk to a hydrology engineer before you disqualify important information. I didn't mean to scare you but it's true about water treatment systems altering the pH before water is used for public drinking. There are laws that demand water treatment guidelines with water purification in the USA.

Environmental Protection Agency or EPA
EPA enforces federal clean water and safe drinking water laws, provides support for municipal wastewater treatment plants, and takes part in pollution prevention efforts aimed at protecting watersheds and sources of drinking water. Trix

At what pH are heavy metals affected?
Then, generally, there was a decrease in concentrations of heavy metals with an increase in pH. At pH 8 a significant decrease in the concentration of nickel and chromium was found, whereas at pH 9 for copper. The amount of copper released at pH 9 was even 6.5 thousand times lower than at pH 3. Feb 15, 2020 Google

How do heavy metals affect pH in water?
At low pH, the solubility of metals tends to be high, and chemicals like cyanide and sulfide become more toxic. Acidic waters also corrode metal pipes. Therefore, heavy metals in water with a low pH tend to be more toxic, as they become more soluble and bioavailable. Google

Why is drinking water above 7.8 out of the pipes.
What pH level can dissolve metal?
Results showed that metals were sparingly soluble under alkaline conditions (pH = 8.0). Metal solubilities were higher when under slightly acidic conditions (pH = 5.0), and increased drastically when pH was kept at 3.3. Google

Canada's laws may be a little different but the same chemistry applies to all metal pipes.

The only thing im scared of is ppl listening to your info…. They dont adjust PH because of the heavy metals in the water, there are limitations to the quantities for that… They do it to prevent the erosion of the pipes that could then add heavy metals to the water between the treatment plant and your taps.

And think about this… when you drink the water and the ph is then leaning very acidic yea they are more bioavailable.… so your arguement about it reduces toxicity is bullshit… like i said thats why there are maximums. Its to prevent erosion of pipes and coating so between supply and your tap no more heavy metals are added

wow i can’t believe how much you misrepresent information.

which is exactly as i said before.

 

[BigBlonde]

Tap water varies quite a bit by location.

^ This.

General statements about tap water and the supply systems won't apply well. For example, water that comes from a river fed by rain or snow melt will be very different from water that comes from a deep well or an aquifer. Those two sources will likely require different methods of treatment.

 

[Peat_Phreak]

Green bad. Purple good. The map isn't 100% accurate. But it's pretty close for most locations. Some locations have small clusters of better water within green areas that aren't shown.

For example, water drawn from the great lakes isn't green, it's maroon, which is good. But it's not shown on the map. Maine and Oregon have great water for growing.