[compost_tea] Re: Chlorine in Municipal Water
Deight;
Hi Buddy.
Most chlorine and chloramines (CHLs) are neutralized by organic matter. CHL=
s are put in water to eliminate bacteria/contaminants at a certain level bu=
t it is fairly simple to overwhelm that level with the introduction of some=
thing like soil, compost or molasses. You may find some work done by one of=
our members here in the archives. He ran a test which showed the eliminati=
on of chlorine using molasses. In 50 gallons as little as 2 tablespoons sho=
uld be plenty to neutralize most municipal rates of chlorine or chloramines=
(CHLs). Similarly, if you drop in a handful of soil or compost, the CHLs s=
hould be neutralized. You could get some test strips and experiment.
This is why you can see microbial activity when you mix your water with you=
r soil sample. It stands to reason that the microbial activity might be gre=
ater had you used distilled water. You can test this yourself.
Dependent on whether your city uses chlorine or chloramines, it is my under=
standing that most chlorine is dissipated in the air if run through a sprin=
kler but I cannot substantiate this.
I suppose you could collect water in a barrel, neutralized the CHLs, then p=
ump it out to water any particularly 'special' areas but you probably needn=
't worry about watering a lawn.
I've heard mixed reviews on the in line filters. I've been thinking about t=
rying to make one using a venturi and charcoal.
I hope things are going well for you.
Salutations,
Tim
--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "Deighton K" <deight_at_...> wrote:
>
> I have just finished reading Carole and Elaine's book "10 Steps to Garden=
ing With Nature", and on page 67, the harmful effects of chlorine in munici=
pal water is discussed. This tweaked my interest and raised a few question=
s. I would like to get thoughts from the group in regards to the following=
.......
> a. Is my efforts to develop a healthy population of beneficial micr=
oorganisms in the garden being twarted by watering with municipal water? =
>
> b. When I look at soil samples under the microscope, I add water t=
o the sample, why are the microbes stll alive when I look at them through t=
he microscope. Shouldn't the chlorine kill them off instantly? and
>
> c. What do you think of the garden in-line filter to remove chlor=
ine. Has anyone used this, and have you noticed any improvements?
>
>
>
>
> Deight
>
Received on Fri Jul 08 2011 - 14:48:00 EDT
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: Tue Feb 07 2012 - 13:58:11 EST