Comparing Plant Growth Using Different Types of Water

Tristan Thompson

eStem High School

10th Grade

Ms. Clayborn
 Table of Contents

Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 1

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Page 2

Procedures and Materials……………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 3

Data and Observation……………………………………………………………………………………………………………Page 4

Discussion……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Page 5

Conclusion………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………Page 6

Acknowledgments……………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….Page 7

References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..Page 8
 Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to find out what type of water is the best when

growing plants, and that’s exactly what it did. Having this information is very useful and can tell

one about the dangers of tap water. The easiest way to prove which type of water is best for

plants is simply to grow two plants, watering one with tap water and the other with spring

water. After doing this, the plant watered with spring water grew taller and faster, which

proves that spring water is healthier for plants.

 Introduction

Plants, just like humans, need water to grow healthy and tall, but not just any water.

There are a variety of types of water on this planet and finding the best kind for people and

their plants is essential information that everyone should be aware of. Healthy plants lead to

healthy food which leads to healthy people. That’s why I’m taking two identical plants and

water one of the plants with natural spring water and use tap water with the other plant. This

experiment will show which water source is the best for plants.

“Chlorine, which is added to most city tap water, damages cells by releasing free oxygen

which combines with cell proteins causing them to impair.” (The Cure, Dr. Brantley) Because the

hypochlorite ion forms when such compounds as sodium hypochlorite (NaoCl) contact the

organic materials which make up the cell membrane, it is also likely that the lipoprotein

structure is disrupted, causing cytoplasm leakage and killing the cell . Yet the EPA allows up to 4

parts per million (ppm) of chlorine in tap water, but the standard pool test kits show that levels

above 3 ppm are not safe to swim in. So watering your plants with tap water is probably not a

good idea. Arkansas tap water, according to enviromentalworkinggroup.com, contains 12

chemicals exceeding the Arkansas Health Guidelines, 3 chemicals that actually exceeded the

legal limit, and 22 pollutants. Among these chemicals include aluminum, chloroform, lead,

radium, barium, copper, and many more. So think twice about drinking or watering your plants

with tap water.

So if tap water contains many harmful chemicals, then natural spring water would be

ideal for plant growth, because spring water doesn’t contain chlorine or any of the other

chemicals contained in tap water.

 Procedures and Methods

Materials

 2 plants of same species

 Natural spring water
 Tap water
 2 pots
 Soil

Procedures

1. Fill pots up with soil

2. Place plants in pots
3. Place the plants right next to each other where sunlight is easily accessible
4. Water each plant daily
5. Record heights of plants once a week for 4 weeks
 Data and Observation

The plant grown with natural spring water grew quicker and faster than the plant watered with
tap water, over the four week period. The hypothesis stated previously was supported.

Plant Growth Line Graph

Height 5
(Inches)

3 Spring Water
Tap Water

0
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Spring Water Tap Water

Week 1 0.5 in 0 in
Week 2 2.1 in 1 in
Week 3 3.5 in 1.7 in
Week 4 4.9 in 2.8 in
Plant Growth Table
 Plant Growth Bar Graph

4
Height

(Inches)
3 Spring Water
Tap Water

0
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Discussion
 After recording the heights of both plants for four weeks, the plant watered with spring

water exceeded the plant watered with tap water, as predicted. After the first week, the spring

water plant was 0.5 inches tall, and the tap water plant had not sprouted yet. After the second

week, the spring water plant was 2.1 inches tall, and the tap water plant was 1 inch tall. After

the third week, the spring water plant was 3.5 inches tall, and the tap water. After four weeks

the spring water plant was 4.9 inches, and the tap water plant was only 2.8 inches. Also, it took

about 5 days longer for the tap water plant to sprout. Over all there were no major problems

with the experiment, everything went pretty smooth.

Conclusion
 In the end, the plant watered with spring water grew faster and taller, as predicted. The plant

watered with tap water was probably being limited with chlorine, which is toxic to plants. Although tap

water contains a numerous amount of pollutants, chlorine was probably the biggest factor which

affected the experiment. Doing this experiment proved that natural spring water should be used when

watering plants.

Acknowledgments
 The main person I would like to thank is my mother. She was the one that drove me around to

gather up all the supplies to do the project, and also she helped me set up the experiment. She also

watered the plants a couple times when I was at friends houses.

References
West, By Larry. "Tap Water Contamination - Tap Water in 42 States Contaminated by Chemicals."

Environmental Issues - News and Information about the Environment. Larry West, 6 Aug. 2007.

Web. 16 Dec. 2010. <http://environment.about.com/od/waterpollution/a/tap_water_probe.htm>.

Brantley, Timothy. The Cure. Dr. Timothy Brantley Author of The Cure Heal Your Body Save Your Life.

Herbal Remedies for Colon Cleansing, Constipation, and Digestion. Featured on Rachael Ray

& Montel Williams Shows Free Healthy R. Web. 16 Dec. 2010.

<http://www.brantleycure.com/>.

"Dangers of Tap Water--City/Municipal Water Problems." Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Selection

Guide & Reviews. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. <http://www.reverse-osmosis-water-filter-

guide.com/dangers-of-tap-water.html>.