Can irrigation water be used to water veggies and fruit trees? (Cape Coral: 2015, buy)

[akimaheco2015]

Wonder if the irrigation water in Cape Coral, FL can be used to water vegetables and fruit trees? It seems that if one has those veggies and trees in the yard, inevitably, they would get "irrigated" by the lawn sprinklers. But it that safe for the fruits and veggies?

[rikoshaprl]

Cape Coral says you can use the recycled water on fruits and vegetables that will be peeled or cooked. It seems gross but farmers use manure as fertilizer for crops.

[Nopdgator]

Mexico uses human feces as fertilizer for their crops. A large percentage of the fruits and vegetables you buy at the supermarket are grown in Mexico. Unlike some fertilizer companies such as Milorganite (which I use and is probably the best organic fertilizer out there) which comes from the City of Milwaukee's waste facility, it is treated and kiln dried. As for Mexico, lets just say its a little more in its raw state. Just something to think about.

[akimaheco2015]

We do get different advice on this issue. Wonder if someone knows what "contaminants" are actually in the irrigation water or how exactly this water is "produced". Then we can better appreciate the risk involved and decide for ourselves.

[BugManTPC]

Please review the following link:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/reu...cNoteFlyer.pdf

The issue is E-Coli

that is the reason they want the foods cooked.

Ecoli is present in most agriculture and is mitigated by cleaning the vegetables.

[akimaheco2015]

thanks for all the helpful replies. As was mentioned, veggies and fruits that are peeled or cooked may use the irrigation water. On the other hand, the article also said NOT to use it on veggies and fruits. A bit confusing. My point I was trying to get at is whether any bacteria or undesirable chemicals can get into the "core" (or inside the flesh or edible parts) of the veggies and fruits.
If so, it is outright not recommended to use it on veggies and fruit trees.
If not, then just so long as they are washed or cooked, it would be alright.
Makes a lot of difference in the decision making process if we get to know this distinction. Even pesticides can be used on fruits and vegetable so long as enough time is allowed before harvest as recommended by the manufacturer.

[BugManTPC]

Originally Posted by akimaheco2015

thanks for all the helpful replies. As was mentioned, veggies and fruits that are peeled or cooked may use the irrigation water. On the other hand, the article also said NOT to use it on veggies and fruits. A bit confusing. My point I was trying to get at is whether any bacteria or undesirable chemicals can get into the "core" (or inside the flesh or edible parts) of the veggies and fruits.
If so, it is outright not recommended to use it on veggies and fruit trees.
If not, then just so long as they are washed or cooked, it would be alright.
Makes a lot of difference in the decision making process if we get to know this distinction. Even pesticides can be used on fruits and vegetable so long as enough time is allowed before harvest as recommended by the manufacturer.

You never want to use Systemic pesticides within 3 months of harvest.

As for the likelihood that any bacteria will be absorbed by the plant and then become part of the fruit, Zero to Nil.

Citrus is acidic, the bacteria would not survive.

E-Coli is topical not systemic.

I can imagine that all of the disclaimers are for their protection and not your ease of use.

[akimaheco2015]

After "researching" the topic via "Google" under the topic of "internalization of pathogens in produce" or such similar search terms, the short answer is "unlikely". Surface contamination .... yes in various ways. Thus the advice on washing and cooking after harvest.