Filtered or purified water is the way to go when it comes to watering your plant babies. They need it for the same reason we do—tap water has chemicals and minerals that are not optimal for thriving. Let’s make like a watering can and pour out some of the best watering tips to support your indoor or outdoor gardens!
Why Purified Water for Plants?
If you’re someone asking, “why can’t I keep my plants alive?” It may actually not be your plant parenting style to blame. It could be the type of water you’re using to keep them hydrated. Just as we like to avoid tap water contaminants, our plants would do better to steer clear of them, too.
Often high in chlorine and chloramine, tap water can kill the microorganisms and bacteria that support plant growth. Both fluoride and chloride can get absorbed through the soil, accumulating in the leaf margins and possibly resulting in leaf necrosis. While supportive in small amounts, excess amounts of minerals like magnesium and chloride (often found in tap water) can build-up over time, distressing the plant.
If you notice curling leaves, or leaf tips that take on a brown or yellow color, you’re likely noticing the impacts of these tap water contaminants on photosynthesis and nutrient uptake. This is a good time to make the switch to purified water.
Can You Use AquaTru Waste Water to Water Plants?
Now you may be thinking that the most sustainable, plant supporting solution would be to use the waste water from a Reverse Osmosis system like the AquaTru to water your plants.
Unfortunately, it’s easier said than done. The waste water contains higher concentrations of contaminants and a generally high TDS (total dissolved solids) level. This could have damaging effects on your plants, too.
The good news is that the waste water can be diluted with purified water and used for some outdoor plants and your lawn. We’d recommend patch testing on your lawn, or trying it out with hardier, more salt-tolerant plants and trees first.
Ultimately, plants are somewhat sensitive living beings. Once you dilute your waste water with purified water, you’ll essentially end up with tap water. That’s why it’s best to use just purified water on your vegetable or herb gardens, or for your indoor plant babies.
Sustainable Uses for Waste Water
Fortunately, you can still sustainably make use of that waste water in other ways.
1. Wash your car or bike
Amidst increasingly frequent droughts and water restrictions, washing a car can seem like a naughty luxury to many people. With some waste water on hand, however, you can return your car to its like-new condition, sustainably!
2. Hand wash clothes
Washing all clothes—not just delicates—by hand is a great way to improve their longevity and reduce the amount of microplastics released. However, you may want to dilute the RO waste water if you’re washing delicates. Let them air dry outside for an even greener laundry practice!
3. Soak dishes
Baked-on grime and oily plates and utensils can be really water hungry when you’re handwashing dishes or preparing them for the dishwasher. Go ahead and give that RO discard water an extra life by using it to soak dishes in the sink.
4. Mop your floor
Your RO waste water can also be used to wash the floors. You may want to consider diluting the water if you have a high TDS concentration, as it may leave salt particles on the floor.
5. Clean your bathroom
The waste water can also be used to clean (and even flush) your toilet, scrub the shower, and wipe up your faucet and other bathroom fixtures. Keep an eye out for any discoloration, and discontinue use or dilute the water if you begin to notice any staining.
Sustainable Sipping and Happy Plants
We hope this answered your questions about using RO waste water for your plants and provided some ideas for how to sustainably reuse it! As always, AquaTru will be here to give you the TRUth about tap water and how it impacts you and your family—including your plant babies!
