[USCC] chlorinated tap water & our microbial master composters

[Tim Evans]

John,

I don't know of any direct research into the questions you pose, but a
little thought experimentation will demonstrate that it is not an issue.

1) water is cleaned and sanitised before it is put into the water supply
distribution system, then additional chlorine is added so that there is
sufficient 'residual chlorine' at the customers' taps (faucets) to control
the risk of reinfection on route from the treatment works to the customer.
There is junk science about the risk of chlorine in drinking water but it is
just that - junk: Walkerton demonstrated what happens when chlorine dosing
fails.
2) chlorine volatilises quite quickly from water after it comes out of the
tap
3) the concentration of chlorine in drinking water is insufficient to have
any effect on the biomass in composting material.  When we want to disinfect
a surface, etc. we use bleach and water, we don't rely on the residual
chlorine in tap water because it is insufficient for that purpose.
 

regards

Tim

 

Dr Tim Evans
TIM EVANS ENVIRONMENT
Stonecroft, Park Lane, Ashtead, Surrey KT21 1EU England
tel/fax +44 (0) 1372 272 172 mobile +44 (0) 7816 833 991
tim at timevansenvironment.com


-----Original Message-----
From: John A. Crockett [mailto:jac at magicsoil.com] 
Sent: 24 December 2006 12:46
To: U.S. Composting Council listserve
Subject: [USCC] chlorinated tap water & our microbial master composters

Does anyone following the list know of any research, documentation, on the
affects of hydrating compost, and / or watering plants with chlorinated
water from a public water system.

I believe the logic of the heath departments, in requiring the chlorination
of public water supplies is to kill bacteria in the water.  An interesting
question is whether that chlorine then renders the water "dead", removing
all, or nearly all life force, energy, from the water, and worse yet, does
the chlorine then render the water & chlorine combination toxic,
carcinogenic, dis-ease causing?

In composting the bacteria, as well as in the soil, as vital parts of the
soil food web, to cycle nutrients, and provide natural controls of pests and
diseases. The bacteria and other microbes are our friends and vital
partners.


Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms, Inc.
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com
 






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