Message Board - Natural Turf: Chlorinated mains water
2 Feb 2010 by Martin Wythe Last edited 2 Feb 2010
A brief question that will probably lead onto many more.
I am going to try and improve the microbial health of the soil on two rubgy pitches i look after they are on a natural poor sandy soil facing south. They are irrigated alot during the dry months with mains water. Does the chlorinated mains water damage the microbes in the soil?
3 Feb 2010 by Ken Barber
Hi Martin,
I know that chlorinated water will have a negative effect on soil microbes during the process of tea composting, but I don't think irrigation water containing chlorine will prevent microbes from thriving in the rootzone.
Adding oxygen to chlorinated water causes chlorine to disipate. It would be an interesting study to see how much chlorine had disipated during the process of irrigation? since the spray water is thrown through the air in a fine spray. I guess it would be possible to place cans out on the field to catch some of the spray water, then have it tested for chlorine content...... maybe get a sample tested before and after irrigation.
I am fortunate to have spring water for irrigation, but I would still continue tea composting if my supply was mains water..... Since my water is stored in a large tank and the chlrine will naturally disipate over a perior of 24 hours or so.
KB
The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under who’s shade you do not expect to sit.
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