Managing Landscapes using Reclaimed Water

Reclaimed water from a water treatment facility can hold high salt levels. To help reclaimed water recipients manage their landscape, here is a list of common landscape plants grouped by their chloride salt tolerance level. When referring to the plant list, please note the list is intended as a general guide and the chloride salt tolerance level for many landscape plants has not been documented. A more comprehensive listing of Florida-friendly plants that includes information on salt tolerances is located in the Florida-friendly plant listing developed by the University of Florida or at www.FloridaYards.org. For other specific lawn and gardening information, contact a Master Gardener at the Manatee County Extension Office by calling 941-722-4524.

Landscapes irrigated with reclaimed water should be monitored to determine what, if any, modifications to fertilizer and irrigation practices may be needed. While the reclaimed water treatment process retains usable levels of nitrogen and phosphorus that work as fertilizer, micro-nutrient corrections may be necessary for some acid-loving plants. Reclaimed water also contains higher levels of chloride salts than potable (drinking) water. These salt levels vary due to the time of year, time of day and other factors.

Leaf burn and wilting, commonly mistaken for leaf damage associated with chloride salts in reclaimed water, are also well-known indications of over watering. Allowing water to pool on foliage in direct sunlight, regardless of the water source (rain water, potable water or reclaimed water), may also cause foliage to yellow.

Poor drainage and pooling water may also allow accumulation of salts in the soil. Adjust slopes, eliminate compacted soil and amend soil structure to help improve landscape drainage problems. If leaf yellowing occurs, sprinkler heads may need to be adjusted so the spray pattern avoids direct contact with plant foliage. If leaf yellowing persists, it may be necessary to use drip irrigation to water the more sensitive plant varieties.