Safe Water for Garden Plants

You can use ordinary tap water for garden plants.

Your thirsty garden plants may need extra water during the hot, dry months of summer. Water nonfood landscape plants with tap water, reclaimed roof water, or groundwater. Water used on food crops should be tested before use.

Tap Water

Tap water is safe to use on all plants. Softened water, however, can affect the plant's water uptake. If possible, install a bypass spigot that allows access to unsoftened water.

Reclaimed Roof Water

Rain barrels can capture hundreds of gallons of rainwater from your roof. The Rutgers State University Water Resources Program states that recycled roof water is free of chlorine, and is slightly acidic. The program warns, however, that the water should be tested for heavy metals, hydrocarbons and E. coli bacteria.

Groundwater

In some parts of the country, groundwater is contaminated with perchloroethylene (PCE). If contaminated water is used for irrigation, plants can accumulate PCEs. The Hazardous Substance Research Center at Oregon State University recommends that only treated water be used on food crops.

References

• AgFacts: Hard Water -- To Soften or Not to Soften
• Rutgers: Rain Barrels
• Oregon State University: Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet