The water in my water butt is coming out very frothy - audibly fizzing
and with a "head" that takes 15-20 seconds to clear from a watering
can filled from it. What's left is clear and has no detectable colour
or smell.

This only happened since we had the outside of our hose decorated and
new guttering put in.

I can't see how any paint could be doing this (they used proper
acrylic outdoor stuff).

I was wondering if the new guttering or any sealing material might be
to blame.

If you know, please let me know why you think this is happening. More
importantly, should I stop using the water until it clears, or is it
alright to put on plants that I am going to eat?


Sorry..should have thought a bit more about the Subject Title for this
really. Oh well.
Colin
-----
(Please reply via the newsgroup)

Is there any leaf mater decomposing in the bottom? Its been a little hot
lately!!

Leaf beer? bet it don't taste that great!!!! (don't try it!!)






"Colin Malsingh" wrote in message
...
The water in my water butt is coming out very frothy - audibly fizzing
and with a "head" that takes 15-20 seconds to clear from a watering
can filled from it. What's left is clear and has no detectable colour
or smell.

This only happened since we had the outside of our hose decorated and
new guttering put in.

I can't see how any paint could be doing this (they used proper
acrylic outdoor stuff).

I was wondering if the new guttering or any sealing material might be
to blame.

If you know, please let me know why you think this is happening. More
importantly, should I stop using the water until it clears, or is it
alright to put on plants that I am going to eat?


Sorry..should have thought a bit more about the Subject Title for this
really. Oh well.
Colin
-----
(Please reply via the newsgroup)

in article , Colin Malsingh at
wrote on 2/7/03 11:50 pm:

The water in my water butt is coming out very frothy - audibly fizzing
and with a "head" that takes 15-20 seconds to clear from a watering
can filled from it. What's left is clear and has no detectable colour
or smell.

This only happened since we had the outside of our hose decorated and
new guttering put in.

I can't see how any paint could be doing this (they used proper
acrylic outdoor stuff).

I was wondering if the new guttering or any sealing material might be
to blame.

If you know, please let me know why you think this is happening. More
importantly, should I stop using the water until it clears, or is it
alright to put on plants that I am going to eat?


Sorry..should have thought a bit more about the Subject Title for this
really. Oh well.

I'm not even going to *think* about the first reaction that flashed through
my mind when I read this.....
Given quite a few experiences of builders being less than cherishing of
gardens and plants, I'd take a guess that 'something' they used on the
guttering could well be responsible. If it was decaying vegetable matter in
the water, I think it would stink. Personally, I wouldn't use the water for
anything, flowering OR edible.
--

Sacha

On Thu, 3 Jul 2003 08:11:23 +0100, "Lee" wrote:

Is there any leaf matter decomposing in the bottom? Its been a little hot
lately!!

No, the water butt itself seems reasonably clean and provided "normal"
water right up to the point we had the decorating done. The weather
hasn't been any hotter since. In fact, the original guttering & pipes
probably contained much more gunge & built up organic matter than the
new ones.

As I said, the water coming out from it now is clear and had no smell.

I have now drained it completely (that was fun, after this week's
rain) so will have to monitor it when it next rains, to see if this
gradually subsides.

Any other theories about the cause or likely safeness of using it?

Colin
-----
(Please reply via the newsgroup)

If it is drained why not give the inside a spray of Bleach before you refill
it,

--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

Colin Malsingh wrote:
On Thu, 3 Jul 2003 08:11:23 +0100, "Lee" wrote:


Is there any leaf matter decomposing in the bottom? Its been a little hot
lately!!


No, the water butt itself seems reasonably clean and provided "normal"
water right up to the point we had the decorating done. The weather
hasn't been any hotter since. In fact, the original guttering & pipes
probably contained much more gunge & built up organic matter than the
new ones.

As I said, the water coming out from it now is clear and had no smell.

I have now drained it completely (that was fun, after this week's
rain) so will have to monitor it when it next rains, to see if this
gradually subsides.

Any other theories about the cause or likely safeness of using it?

Quite likely to be from the lubricants used in the guttering moulding
process. I think it's unlikely to do any harm and I would go ahead and
use it. However, please don't blame me if it kills your entire garden!
Why not try it on something unwanted or unimportant first?

On Fri, 04 Jul 2003 16:12:39 +0100, bigboard
wrote:

I think it's unlikely to do any harm
However, please don't blame me if it kills your entire garden!

LOL (I think).

An alternative plan says I give some of my garden produce to the
builder, in thanks for "such a good job done".

If he falls down dead, I know not to use any more water from his
guttering, plus I get a small measure of revenge.

Colin
-----
(Please reply via the newsgroup)