The Netherlands is generally blessed with a lot of good quality water, although it was a bit different during last summer's drought. With rivers and rainfall, the Netherlands has its position as an agricultural country in the first place thanks to the availability of a lot of water. The rivers are also at a normal level again, ensuring good quality water in the coming months.
Rainwater is of good quality. There may be some problems if the glass cover from which it originates is not clean or if other water, such as condensation water, is added. Dead algae and rotting leaves of surrounding trees that collect at the bottom of a basin also adsorbs contaminants. In the case of anaerobic conversions, toxic substances can be formed that will join the irrigation water at low suction points.
Other water sources must also be checked regularly. Check the well water for iron and the presence of methane. Aerating may be necessary and various aeration methods, such as aeration towers, have been developed for this purpose.
Check oxygen use
If reverse osmosis is used, it is advisable to check the filtration. Is enough sodium still being extracted or does it dissipate more than required due to years of use? Because of the recirculation, the separation must take place at a higher level than perhaps initially conceived.
When using surface water, check for nutrients and also the biology. The possibilities are quite extensive in recent years, make use of it. A measurement that the greenhouse horticulture doesn't use a lot is the control of chemical and/or biological oxygen use (COD and BOD). This existing analysis indicates whether or not water is polluted.
Quality control
It is important to check the water quality from time to time, according to Geerten van der Lugt. "Check for nutrients, Na and Cl, for contaminants, using residue analyzes, for methane (for spring water) and for the presence of biological parameters. Check the instruments you purchased to improve water quality."
Source: Glastuinbouw Waterproof