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TDS levels and gray water watering

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jbclem:
With the drought restrictions here in S.Calif, I've been watering my citrus with gray water.  I've also started checking the TDS (total dissolved solids/salts) levels to make sure the gray water isn't harming the trees.  But I don't have any reference levels as to what levels are too high.  I have some old citrus trees in the ground and also some young ones.  The soil at my house is silty sand/sandy silt and drains well.

My tap water is showing about 310 on the TDS meter.  Since I've started using soap nuts instead of laundry detergent,  the laundry gray water levels have been 300-350.  With regular detergent I get 400-500, and the highest I've measured so far was 650 from a 5 gal bucket of Oxiclean and water.

I'm also watering a loquat and a pear tree with the gray water.

I've read that citrus is sensitive to salt but haven't found any TDS reference levels.  Does anyone know what I should be watching out  for?

John

Oolie:
I might hesitate to put the oxyclean down the drain until it has been deactivated. The bleaching effect will kill any microbiota, and could potentially damage roots.

Think of it as bleach without the chlorine.

Vegan Potato Man:
TDS is derived from EC (electrical conductivity)

Tds/ec measurement does not tell you what is dissolved, just how much electrically charged particles are in solution. Without testing a sample there's really no way to be sure what is in it.

That said, assuming you haven't been pouring salt down your drain, I would assume it would be safe since the numbers you mentioned aren't very high to begin with.

If you want to be sure, I'd suggest getting a test done.

Oolie:
Good point, a key problem with high salts is going to be chloride buildup, but you will usually only see it if the soil gets dry enough and there is enough chloride present. If you see burnt leaf edges, that's usually the first sign that your root tips are not happy.

pagnr:
TDS is derived from EC (electrical conductivity)
Tds/ec measurement does not tell you what is dissolved, just how much electrically charged particles are in solution. Without testing a sample there's really no way to be sure what is in it.

As I understand it you still have to watch the EC of water you apply, including liquid fertiliser mixes ( and ultimately dry fertiliser that dissolves in water ).
Basically if NaCl salt has an EC, then so does CaCl, MgCl, and also MgSO4 etc etc. all common component of fertilisers.
Yes some are going to be beneficial nutrients and some more harmful, but a very high EC from any compound can be a problem, particularly in pot plants.

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