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Are there scientific reasons why one or the other water type would do better on the plants?
Question Date: 2012-01-06
Answer 1:

Scientists dont really know much about the long-term effects of grey water use on soils, but in the short-term plants generally grow very well with grey water. While there are few issues that have been raised about the use of grey water for growing ornamental plants, there are some potential problems that arise from the use of grey water for crop irritation.

Grey water is generally a term used to describe water that is the byproduct of household activities, like laundry or washing dishes. As a result, this water can contain pathogens (think diseases) that can live on agricultural products that people will later eat, causing them to get sick.

Industrial waste water is also sometimes considered to be grey water. This water, though often cleaned, can contain heavy metals, like cadmium or lead, that are very harmful to people. When it is used to irrigate agricultural fields which often happens in places where people are very poor and do not have access to cleaner water it can contaminate food (especially root vegetables). This can pose serious health risks for consumers.


Answer 2:

There may be more nutrients in greywater than regular tapwater which could assist plants to grow well but chemicals in greywater can damage plants if you are not careful!


Answer 3:

Yes - plants use nutrients in the soil and those nutrients are available through water that the plant takes up. If the water has nutrients (or poisons) in it, then those will affect the plant.



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