Reclaimed Water Effects on Plants

Reclaimed water goes through a water treatment plant before it is used for irrigation.

Reclaimed water is water that has been used and then processed through a water treatment plant. After this process, sodium and chloride are left in the water at high levels that can cause plant and soil problems if the reclaimed water is used for irrigation.

Leaf Chlorosis

A leaf with a scorched appearance can be a sign of sodium chloride toxicity

The leaf of a plant exposed to high levels of salty water will begin to show a scorched appearance, which indicates leaf chlorosis. If the sodium chloride level increases, the leaf will die.

Salt Burn

High levels of salt can cause dehydration in humans and plants.

The level of sodium chloride in reclaimed water can cause salt burn or root dehydration in plants. This occurs when sodium chloride levels build up in the soil and prevent water from being taken up by the root cells.

Soil Compaction

Using reclaimed water on clay soils can speed up soil compaction.

Using reclaimed water can increase the levels of sodium chloride in the soil. If this occurs in a clay soil, the salt will bind with clay particles, reducing pore space and increasing soil compaction. This compaction will reduce the movement of water and oxygen through the soil.

References

• Landscape Plant Selection Guide for Recycled Water Irrigation
• Virginia Cooperative Extension: Trees and Shrubs that Tolerate Saline Soils and Salt Spray