Question
QUESTION: Is the water in Bay Area pure enough for carnivorous plants

ANSWER: Hi Eric,

There's two ways you can find that out.  The first is to go to your water bureau's website and look at their EPA water quality report.  Be sure to know what source your house is actually from since some water supplies come from multiple sources.  Look for the total dissolved solids (TDS) of your water.  If it's 50 parts per million or less, you're fine.  Above that, you should probably use rainwater, distilled water, or water purified by reverse osmosis.

The other way to see if your water is appropriate for carnivorous plants is to test it yourself.  Aquarium stores have various kits and test strips that can do it.  If you bring in a sample, many stores will test it for you.  Another easy way is to buy a Zero Water filter pitcher.  Those come with a TDS meter, and Zero Water takes everything out of your water, making it the only filter pitcher that will render hard water safe for cp.

My understanding of the bay area water is that the Hetchy Hetchy system has very soft water when it's coming from the reservoirs.  However, since you are in drought conditions, they are probably using wells, and the water could be fairly hard.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, but when I went to the website and typed in the search box 'epa water quality report'. I clicked on it and I couldn't find the TDS thing. Can you help me find it? My water district is Alemeda County Water District.

Answer
Hi Eric,

Here's the page:  http://www.acwd.org/index.aspx?nid=156  Open the pdf on most recent water quality report.  Look at secondary water quality section.  You'll see the total dissolved solids line.  You just need to figure out what water you are.   From what I saw, I'd say you're water is too hard.  

That may change once CA gets more rain.  That ZeroWater filter could be really helpful.  They are often worth it just for the TDS meter.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com