Would you use water from a creek?

[jethro]

Since I moved to this house, I know live 50 yards away from "little Chest Creek" that feeds Chest Creek. It is a small creek that has lots of fingerling brook trout in it and there is a hatchery at the upper end.

Should I take advantage of the water?

 

[Anonymous]

Sure, as long as you have a way to shove it thru an RO system.

 

[CAT]

Maybe if you were living in the last century :lol: I wouldn't trust it today.

 

[Mac1]

Yeah, even spring fed streams can accumulate run off and other dissolved substances. It's very risky. Not only could the fishery be putting something in the water that gets discharged downstream, but the surrounding lands could also be pumping minerals, DOC's, fertilizers, and other nasty's into your water. If you were determined to, I would ask the fish hatchery what they're putting in their water, and where they dump it, as well as getting some tests done on the quality of the water... multiple times throughout the year. You should be able to find an analytical lab that will do it for a reasonable fee. When I worked for a plumbing company, all new drinking water pipe installations had to be tested for purity. If you call a plumbing contractor, I'm sure they'd tell you where they have their water tested (must be a certified and accredited lab for NYState).

- Mac

 

[fishfarmer]

and there is a hatchery at the upper end.

NO, I wouldn't use it. Especially if it is an old hatchery with old plumbing that may still discharge occasionally to the stream.

 

[Anonymous]

But even if the stream is relatively pristine with nobody dumping junk in it- you will notice plenty of aquatic plants growing probably which means...nutrients! Something we want to avoid, mostly.

 

[jethro]

Thanks for the advice. I was pretty much thinking the same way.

I use water from my dehumidifier for top off. I get 3 gallons a day from that at times.

 

[Mac1]

I use water from my dehumidifier for top off. I get 3 gallons a day from that at times.

Actually, that's one you want to be really careful of too!
I know, in theory it sounds like a great idea, but what has been found, is that the metal condensing coils leech substances into the water. They also form collection points for dust, bacteria, and all manner of other nasties we don't want to intentionally _add_ to the tank.

- Mac

 

[Sidewinder]

Many of the Dehu. coils are copper.