UK Tap Water and Chlorine/Chloramine...

Just been trying to find out whether chlorine or chloramine is in my local tap water (it's chloramine )
Unlike chlorine, chloramine doesn't evaporate so bubbling or leaving out achieves nothing.
Anyway, the last time I tried to find out the water company was extremely cagey (freedom of information requests put in etc)
But it seems the secret is out, as I found it on this list of UK water suppliers and chlorine/chloramine results on a fishing forum
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/185087-find-out-here-whether-your-water-supply-is-chloraminated/

There are additives for aquarium water to neutralize it..it's good enough for fish and aquatic plants so I figure they're good enough for my plants
And reverse osmosis does the trick I think....
I wish it would rain and fill my water butt ....

I'm UK too, I use an aquarium filter on my tap water, I bought this while I was a brand new organics noob, as oppossed to just the noob I am now. I've read the analysis report on my tap water and it is loaded with both chlorine and chloramines, as well as metals.
I did quite a bit of research back then and from what I gathered, the chloramines are much harder to remove from the water than chlorine, but they are much less effective at killing microbes.

I've also recently seen a youtube vid which shows that plants can be watered with straight chlorine treated tap water with no ill effects to the microbial population or the plant. Both chorine and chloramines are absorbed/neutralised when they come into contact with organic matter.

I do still filter my water, but I believe the only benefit I'm getting from this is the removal of chlorine by aeration as opposed to any filtering.

The only time I really worry about the big 'C's is if I'm brewing an AACT, then I'll let the water aerate for a couple of days, fill my 5gal brewer, add a couple of tablespoons of molasses and bubble for a day before adding the EWC

Sorry for going off topic, but what amendments do you use and where do you source them?

I use these for neem/seaweed meal http://www.thenaturalgardener.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=59

I can't find crabshell meal anywhere, there's a carp bait shop online which sells shrimp meal, which I reckon would be a good substitution, but they're out of stock ATM, and don't know when new stock is arriving.

AACT was my main concern as well. I'm going to start a side by side tea tomorrow; one straight tap water and one with "Aquasafe" treatment.
I think I've seen the video on tap water and soil...I just didn't want to risk trying it, so I guess I have to do a bit more research on that.

(Any ammendments I can't get off Ebay I get here https://www.organiccatalogue.com/Soil-Care-and-Feeds/c60/index.html)

see your petshop for those tablets you can add to reduce any harmful effects

Chlorine is no biggy my plants need all they can get, great for cell growth

Chloramine, is a hassle best to find ur own little oasis

but that said Chloramine, is better than the alternative

recycled water is 'greedy big business' in the EU

also winemakers cadman tablets can ease the effects too

good luck

DonBrennon said:

Sorry for going off topic, but what amendments do you use and where do you source them?

I use these for neem/seaweed meal http://www.thenaturalgardener.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=59

I can't find crabshell meal anywhere, there's a carp bait shop online which sells shrimp meal, which I reckon would be a good substitution, but they're out of stock ATM, and don't know when new stock is arriving.

Click to expand...

crabshell for chitan is best found with snail shells, a walk around your local neighborhood garden can help, crush to aid aeration in the soil too

just don't forget to wash them in a 10% bleach solution before use ...lol

good luck