It seems to me ...

[DWSmith]

After reading the rain thread it reminded me of a question I've had for a while.

Is it my imagination or do plants seem to do much better when watered with rain and collected rain water than they do with tap water? How about pond water?

I'm thinking about modifying my mobile watering system that can be put in the bed of my truck.

Thanks.

[veggiechicken]

Here, tap water is treated with chemicals to make it safe to drink so I'd always use rain water by choice.
I'm sure pondwater is just as good, if not better!

[Jay-ell]

Rainwater is slightly acidic due to the dissolved carbon dioxide (about 5.5ish) which changes once it contacts minerals in the ground.

A lot of tap water is slightly alkaline (especially hard water areas) going from 6.5 to 9 ph

Not sure what the ph of pond water would be.

[lottie dolly]

Rain water is always better,and pond water,as it has natural nutrients,but it all depend on size and wild life within,i only used rain water at lottie,and tap at home,but am hoping to get a system set up at home for tain water over the coming months,and yes there is a difference.

[DWSmith]

I now have a 12 volt water pump with a screen to keep out the bigger chunks of debris. It's not very big but I'd rather pump pond water into the livestock tank and use that water to go around the property to water plants. I especially want to use pond water when I start planting trees in the former hay fields. Tap water will be far too expensive.

[ESBkevin]

I seem to recall seing an experiment (on you tube somewhere) that discussed the merits of chemically treated mains water and rain/ground water.
The theory being that the chemicals remained active long enough to damage the soil food web on contact and because that is what feeds the roots it would slow down plant growth. I can't remember where I saw this but the conclusion seemed to be that the soil life was not significantly damaged and recovered very quickly. Plant growth was not impeeded in the samples used. I could not fault the explanation, but remain sceptical and always use rainwater for seedlings and tender young plants because I'm just old and take time to come around to these ideas.

[bramble]

It seems to me , in this day and age we tend to over analyse everything.
Rainwater has always been the way given the choice.

[rary]

I have never collected rain water, though I remember a number of years a go when I started keeping tropical fish I filled the tank and let it sit for several days but the fish died, a tried this twice and yes he second time three fish survived, I went up to the moors, filled some poly bags from the steams an never had any problems after that, I did make some enquiries and as we were in the middle of a heat wave, much the same as now, more chemicals were being added to the water to keep it usable though generally the water here is ok for plants

[rary]

Also must add, our water usage is not metered

[DWSmith]

I have too many irons in the fire as I always do but I want to set up rain barrels at my downspouts. Also, I have 2 dehumidifiers running in the basement during the warmer months. That water would be very close to distilled water with some dust particles tossed in. I think I'll begin collecting that water too. Mixed into rain water or pond water it should be good.

[Jonny.D]

Rainwater is slightly acidic due to the dissolved carbon dioxide (about 5.5ish) which changes once it contacts minerals in the ground.

A lot of tap water is slightly alkaline (especially hard water areas) going from 6.5 to 9 ph

Not sure what the ph of pond water would be.

Reading Jay-ell's post reminded me of an article I read saying that leaving Tap water to sit, say in a water butt, changes the PH level due to absorption of Carbon Dioxide.

[Cadalot]

As a young man I looked after plant for a neighbour when she was away on holiday and when she came back she was staggered how good they all were and asked me what I had done, and the only thing was filling the watering can the night before so that it stood all day and the temperature was room temperature when I watered so there was no cold water shock. so now for the greenhouse I always have water that has stood for a day or two and never use fresh cold water out of the tap.