Watering with lake water

Watering with lake water#406026

By Panman -  Mon Mar 28, 2022 5:21 pm
Location:  Atlanta, GA USA Zone 8a/8b
Posts:  6385
Joined:  Wed Mar 04, 2020 8:41 pm

- Mon Mar 28, 2022 5:21 pm #406026

Well, it has finally happened. My collection has exceeded my ability to schlep in enough low TDS water everything. I do, however, sit on the edge of a lake that does measure very low TDS. I have used it short term, watering a few times with no ill effect, and I would expect that this is fine to use long term for the plants. Does anyone use lake water for their plants? For the same price as an RO system, I can get a transfer pump and have unlimited water available.

Any thoughts?

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Re: Watering with lake water#406027

By TrapsAndDews -  Mon Mar 28, 2022 5:34 pm
Location:  Eastern Washington (Zone 6b)
Posts:  1808
Joined:  Sun Nov 14, 2021 2:20 am

- Mon Mar 28, 2022 5:34 pm #406027

Maybe experiment on some plants that you have an abundance of and see how it goes.

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Re: Watering with lake water#406032

By ChefDean -  Mon Mar 28, 2022 6:38 pm
Location:  Clarksville, TN
Posts:  9345
Joined:  Tue Sep 18, 2018 12:44 am

- Mon Mar 28, 2022 6:38 pm #406032

With lake water, you just want to be careful that you're not introducing any bad microbes or pathogens to your plants.
Plus, you might want to check local laws with Georgia Fish and Game. Some places don't allow you to collect water to use somewhere else in order to prevent the spread of the aforementioned baddies or crustaceans. If they do allow the collection, they may not allow a pump to be used. If it's private, just make sure you have landowner permission, then worry about baddies.
Option B: Create a rain collection system. Plenty of examples if you google them.

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Re: Watering with lake water#406167

By MikeB -  Tue Mar 29, 2022 12:04 am
Location:  Clayton, NC, USA - Zone 8a
Posts:  1901
Joined:  Sat Apr 25, 2020 4:13 pm

- Tue Mar 29, 2022 12:04 am #406167

As long as the lake water has a low TDS and isn't contaminated with fertilizer and/or herbicide runoff from the surrounding property, it should be perfectly fine. You want to put the water intake on a float (with a mesh cover) so it doesn't suck up gunk off the bottom.

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