Tim,
Thanks for the info, very informative. Most home gardeners would like the
convenience of being able to hand water or use a sprinkler, without having
to leave multiple containers laying around to dissipate the chlorine. I
have been taking a look at the Gard'n gro filter system. I'll use the
chlorine test strips to get a before and after reading, and see how it
performs.
That's interesting info about the molasses or a handful of compost
neutralizing the chlorine, I'll run a chlorine strip test on that as well,
and see what I get. I do realize that to be scientifically accurate one
would have use a more accurate measuring device, since determining the color
of the test strip can be quite subjective.
My concern was, that after going through the effort of making compost tea
and establishing good biology on the leaf surfaces, then coming along a day
or so later and destroying it all by hand watering.
Thanks for your feedback, always appreciate your comments.
Deight
From: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com [mailto:compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Tim Wilson
Sent: July-08-11 9:01 AM
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Chlorine in Municipal Water
Deight;
Hi Buddy.
Most chlorine and chloramines (CHLs) are neutralized by organic matter. CHLs
are put in water to eliminate bacteria/contaminants at a certain level but
it is fairly simple to overwhelm that level with the introduction of
something 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
elimination of chlorine using molasses. In 50 gallons as little as 2
tablespoons should 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 should be neutralized. You could get some test strips and
experiment.
This is why you can see microbial activity when you mix your water with your
soil sample. It stands to reason that the microbial activity might be
greater had you used distilled water. You can test this yourself.
Dependent on whether your city uses chlorine or chloramines, it is my
understanding that most chlorine is dissipated in the air if run through a
sprinkler but I cannot substantiate this.
I suppose you could collect water in a barrel, neutralized the CHLs, then
pump 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
trying to make one using a venturi and charcoal.
I hope things are going well for you.
Salutations,
Tim
--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"Deighton K" <deight_at_...> wrote:
>
> I have just finished reading Carole and Elaine's book "10 Steps to
Gardening With Nature", and on page 67, the harmful effects of chlorine in
municipal water is discussed. This tweaked my interest and raised a few
questions. 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
microorganisms in the garden being twarted by watering with municipal water?
>
> b. When I look at soil samples under the microscope, I add water to the
sample, why are the microbes stll alive when I look at them through the
microscope. Shouldn't the chlorine kill them off instantly? and
>
> c. What do you think of the garden in-line filter to remove chlorine. Has
anyone used this, and have you noticed any improvements?
>
>
>
>
> Deight
>
Received on Fri Jul 08 2011 - 23:48:43 EDT