Can the irrigation water harm tomato plants?
 

Is it possible there's something about the irrigation water that can harm certain plants, like tomatoes?

I have 9 plants in the back of the house and just started running the sprinkler system there a few weeks ago. The plants have fatally withered.

Thanks a bunch, Tom.

Short answer no.

Longer answer...new homes use reclaimed water and have a separate water system for irrigation, older homes use the same water as the residents in the house use.

Longer, Longer answer, having spend a bunch of time in the 3rd world, I've seen tomato plants watered with black dookie water, brown sludge water, and clear stream water and the plants all thrive.

The issue is probably related to the soil, a fungus, snails, other bugs, too much water, or a million other little things.

my daughter has started an Oliver Wendall-Douglas farm, (lol), tomatoes being some of the crop. she grows them in pots & uses reclaimed h2o for watering -so far so good, but the Florida heat & sun have presented a challenge. the plants need light watering through the day to keep leaves from getting crispy, but not too much or it will produce poor results in fruit. i think it's more or less a hobby now, hit or miss to see what will grow or not. :popcorn:

My best guess back of home faces south to much heat this time of year

I wouldn’t trust it, but I not on irrigation water and my tomatoes wither anyway.

I agree and they don’t have to be in afternoon sun either.

Yep, probably the same tomatoes we buy in stores. Who knows how healthy they are?

Maybe. It depends on whether you are north or south of 44. South of 44, the irrigation water might be reclaimed (from water treatment plants). North of 44 (but south of 466), the irrigation water is not reclaimed (from water treatment plants).

Home Irrigation:

North of CR 466, homes are irrigated with potable water.
South of CR 466, homes are irrigated with non-potable water which is comprised of storm water runoff that is collected in water retention areas and groundwater from the lower Floridan aquifer when storm water supplies are not available.

That is not the whole story. Between 466 and 44, the irrigation water is not from water treatment plants (treated sewage). The golf courses do use water from water treatment plants. South of 44 (which is south of 466), the irrigation water might be from water treatment plants. Some of the irrigation water might be from other sources such as surface water and wells. Pretty much what I posted.

Based on the smell of the irrigation water, I wouldn’t water anything I eat with it.

Tomato plants have always done well when you have cooler nights. I can replicate my cherry tomatoes in a hydroponic situation. Have brought potted plants from garden near Louisville, yet the taste is off. I used distilled water, no change. I do keep my pots where shade is 70% of the day

Irrigation water is called non-potable for a reason. It "probably" is okay, but it is not considered safe for consumption. So, If you want to be safe, don't use it. If you feel it is worth it to save a couple of dollars a month then you can take the risk. It is probably a small risk, but the risk is not zero.

I'd be far more concerned with the heat than the water source.

Tomatoes love the heat.