Some household detergents in water harm plant growth.
Heightened awareness surrounding conservation and drought directs home wastewater use on gardens and plants. Recycling household gray water leads people to wonder about the safety of plants watered with detergent. According to an experiment conducted by the University of Southern California, plants watered with common detergents exhibited harmful health effects. Plants watered with biodegradable detergents were not only healthy, but surpassed the regular watered control plants. The environmentally friendly soaps seemed to perform like fertilizer.
Top Home Reclaimed Water for Gardens
Reclaiming used household water can help in water conservation.
Household gray water is the used water that does not contain fecal material. Water that goes down the pipes into the sewer system comes from the kitchen, washing machine, dishwasher, bathtub, sink and shower is generally safe to recycle on plants. Water from these areas of the home does not require treatment for garden use, but they do contain food particles, hair, cosmetics, grease, dead skin and detergents that should be handled responsibly.
Detergent Harm to Plants
Avoid using bleach for washing when recycling home water.
Excessive sodium salts are the major trouble with most cleaning agents. Extreme levels of sodium damage the soil and plants. Phosphorous has a reputation as a detergent ingredient, but it naturally occurs in nature and can increase plant growth. Regrettably, detergents highest in phosphates have the highest amount of sodium, as do those with softening agents. Avoid using bleach and detergents that contain boron that is very toxic to plants. Replace chlorine with ammonia in household cleaning.
Collecting Gray Water
Large buckets placed under sinks are a simple way to collect gray water.
Gathering reclaimed water can be as uncomplicated as using buckets under sinks or for scooping bath water. Others go as far as modifying the plumbing for direct delivery. Start with the cleanest water areas such as the shower and bathtub. Follow in decreasing order with the bathroom sink, washing machine, kitchen sink and then the dishwasher. Large amounts of food, grease and other undesirable particles gather in kitchen and dishwasher water. Limiting these unwelcome substances is another alternative.
Watering Plants with Waste Water
Recycled water is safe to use on above ground vegetables.
Dispense reclaimed water directly to the soil evenly over a broad space. Do not use overhead sprinklers that can run off or irrigation systems that may clog with debris. Only irrigate above ground crops like tomatoes or corn, but avoid using gray water on leafy or underground vegetables. According to the University of Massachusetts, a 500 square foot garden can handle 250 gallons of gray water a week, or ½ gallon per square foot. Recycled house water is alkaline, so don't use on acid loving plants.
Recycled Water Safe Habits
Only water non-edible plants when in doubt about reclaimed water safety.
Rotate watering with reclaimed and fresh water to prevent sodium build up in the soil. Soil with a pH above 7.5 indicates a salt problem. Avoid or correct high soil sodium with a monthly spread of gypsum, calcium sulfate. Never use washed diaper water or any other fecal matter. Potentially, gray water may contain disease-causing organisms, but they quickly die when mixed with abundant organic material. Thick compost mulch naturally speeds decomposition of any waste residue.
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