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Contaminated water in water butt

TerryRTerryR Posts: 33
in Plants
Hi
I discovered 2 dead rats in one of my water butts this morning which stank a bit. Can the water still be used in my greenhouse or plants in pots or do I have to empty the butt and start again?

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I think I'd start again.   You never know what those rats had in their systems.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    edited July 2018
    Take care emptying As you can get a Weils disease from rat urine in water
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    edited July 2018
    I'd use the water for non edible plants...........especially with the drought we are experiencing.  
  • TerryRTerryR Posts: 33
    Thanks for the comments - I will empty the water into the borders for the dahlias.  I didn't know about catching anything from rat urine so I will be extra careful now with the water.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Weil's Disease (Leptospirosis) is serious and can be fatal ... do take care ... rubber gloves and soap and hot water etc

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=541 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • TerryRTerryR Posts: 33
    Thanks for the advise I will definitely follow it
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