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 [Link], 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. <[Link]
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.
<[Link]
"Dangers of Tap Water--City/Municipal Water Problems." Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Selection
Guide & Reviews. Web. 16 Dec. 2010. <[Link]
[Link]/[Link]>.