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Tacoma, WA Tap Water Unsuitable for Carnivorous Plants (156 ppm)

A workshop attendee at Seymour Conservatory (Tacoma) missed the water test results. Asks if Tacoma water is safe for CPs.

Jeff Dallas: Tested at 156 ppm TDS—too high (safe ≤50 ppm). Similar to nursery well water requiring RO filtration. Nepenthes, Mexican Pinguicula, Sarracenia are least sensitive; sundews and flytraps most sensitive. Tap water okay in emergency; long-term harmful. Distilled or rainwater best.

Green River surface supply (rainy season) may be softer; summer well supplementation hardens it. Portland has similar pattern. Test seasonally if considering tap use.

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