Is It Safe to Use Roof Runoff for a Vegetable Garden?
Using a rain barrel to capture roof runoff saves water, but the water is not potable. It should not be used for overhead irrigation or washing of edible plants. Filter or disinfect roof runoff before using it in the food garden. Does this Spark an idea?
Collection
One inch of rain falling on a 10 foot by 10 foot roof will yield 600 gallons of water. Roof runoff flows into a series of gutters and downspouts where it is stored in rain barrels or cisterns.
Contaminates
Roof runoff contains natural and chemical contaminates. Birds, rodents and insect contribute bacteria and pathogens. Acid rain reacts with roof surfaces to create heavy metal contaminates. Runoff may also contain pesticides, waterproofing chemicals and car exhaust particulates.
Safety
Treat roof runoff before using the water on fruit or vegetable plants. Filter water with a sediment, ceramic or carbon filter and disinfect with ultraviolet light sterilization. Untreated water may be used in drip irrigation that does not touch the plant, though it should not be used close to harvest time.
Tags: before using, plants Filter, roof runoff before, Roof Runoff Vegetable, runoff before, runoff before using