Types of Water
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Overview:
Some plants need soft or acidic water to thrive, meaning that some domestic water supplies might be unsuitable for these plants.
Many domestic water supplies contain calcium and magnesium, which can raise the soil pH, thus making them unsuitable for many ericaseous plants.
Water above pH 7 can cause chlorosis or yellowing of foliage, thus affecting photosynthesis and the subsequent health of the plant.
There are products on the market that will remove calcium and other impurities from tap water.
Similarly, water from recognized soft water areas can have calcium added at the treatment works to improve its drinking quality, this again will make it unsuitable for many ericaseous plants.
Rainwater:
This is run off water from the roofs of buildings and collected in water butts.
This type of water is slightly acidic and is suitable for most garden plants.
To prevent the formation of algae cover the water butts to keep out sunlight.
Grey Water:
In times of drought local authorities may be forced to restrict domestic water supplies.
They may create hose pipe bans or even in extreme cases, a ban on the use of domestic water in gardens entirely.
Greywater is defined as wastewater collected from domestic equipment such as the kitchen sink, wash-hand basins, showers and baths.
Usually this is syphoned out of the sink/bath and stored in suitable containers until required.