2

We recently got some Apex 25-foot long (½-inch in diameter) blue hoses from Walmart that are supposed to be safe for drinking purposes. However, when I first turn it on in order to water my plants and such, the water seems fizzy or foamy for about twenty seconds each time (well, once a day or so). Is this really safe for me or my plants? I'm not sure if this will continue indefinitely, but it's been three or four weeks, now. I have three of them hooked together (but it still foamed with two). Our old hoses never did that, and they probably weren't meant for drinking.

Edit: The site asked me if the other question solved my problem. It is a similar question, but it didn't solve the issue, as my question was specifically about the fizzy/foamy quality of the water from a specific kind of hose—not about the safety/toxicity garden hoses generally, without regard to fizziness/foaminess (and without regard to whether the hose is advertised as safe for drinking). So, I can't honestly say the other Q/A answered my question (although I do understand if others feel they are too similar to keep apart, or if they don't feel the question is a good one to remain open).

Brōtsyorfuzthrāx
  • 18,694
  • 6
  • 30
  • 70

3 Answers3

3

when I first turn it on in order to water my plants and such, the water seems fizzy or foamy for about twenty seconds each time (well, once a day or so).

Nothing to get excited about. Dissolved gases in water that's cool since it's been in the water mains underground coming out of solution as the water warms up sitting in the hose.

You can see exactly the same thing if you set a glass of cold water out on the counter - little bubbles form and some stick to the sides of the glass. Cold(er) water can hold more dissolved gas than warm(er) water can.

Ecnerwal
  • 27,360
  • 26
  • 59
2

The drink water is not always 100% water with some mineral/salts. It is just safe to drink.

Having seen some aqueduct, I can say that there are some lichens, mosses and seaweeds. These are 100% safe, especially in cold and dark environment. But on hoses (more light, warmer), they could be more lively (and die) so such "plants" could create some gases and waxes. You probably see some of these byproducts. I consider them safe, but I would really prefer not to drink from hoses.

Additionally water in hoses change pressure and temperature, so there are other effects: CO2 and calcium carbonate could dissolve and react. See in geology, e.g., the calc-tufa, which is constantly created by slow sources going to lower pressure (outdoor). This take time, but when you turn off water, there is some time, to have some reactions.

Why not on the old hoses? I think because it was old, so less glossy, thus probably there were more deposit and few release of larger material. Note: this foam (as I supposed in previous paragraphs) is made by very very very tiny particles, so the deposit are perceptible only on long term, and when they release larger particle, you doesn't see them, but neither the foam.

In general I would say it is (in Europe) safe. Carcinogens materials are banned since a lot of time, and release of chemicals must be within certain limits (hoses are considered household object, so controlled). Just don't drink every day from it.

Giacomo Catenazzi
  • 14,822
  • 3
  • 21
  • 44
0

If these hoses are not WHITE, drinking water from them is not safe. Garden hoses are notorious for carcinogens. Says right on their labels. Hoses meant for residential purposes, drinking water even for animals is white. These are the same hoses meant for recreational vehicles. All other colors of hoses are carcinogenic. I only use white hoses to water my horses! White hoses with a blue line down the side. Maybe red...but pretty sure about the blue line.

Also never reuse plastic water bottles, baby bottles made of plastic, put any plastic in the microwave to heat.

Not a great expense considering health of animals to include your kids.

stormy
  • 40,664
  • 4
  • 33
  • 76