One of our regular blog readers submitted a question about using chlorinated city water when watering plants. He noted that watering plants with stored rain water promotes growth in comparison to chlorinated water. Also mentioned was the potential for chlorinated water to kill beneficial organisms in the soil that nourish plants.
Ben Faber, a UCCE scientist specializing in: soil; plant; water; and nutrient relationships, says that chlorinated water can be a problem. For those wishing to water plants with chlorine-free water, simply let the water sit for a few hours to allow the chlorine gas to leave the water.
Gravity-flow drip systems, like the one shown in this article may be useful for those who appreciate the benefits of drip line irrigation.
Not all municipal water sources use chlorine to treat water. Check with your water supplier first to find out what is used to treat water in your community. Many cities are using chloramine which is more stable than chlorine gas.
