WAUKESHA — With the Waukesha water transition initiating on Monday, business owners and plant lovers alike cautiously watched their taps for signs of redness or an odd smell. While Lake Michigan tap water is perfectly fine for watering houseplants, grass and flowers, the flushing of the water system may result in decolorization and a change in smell or taste for upwards of a month.
David and Becca Haut, owners of Waukesha Floral and Greenhouse, say they are looking forward to the change in water. The company offers fresh cut floral arrangements and houseplants, including an entire greenhouse of growing poinsettia flower plants. Becca Haut said the main concern for florals is the potential discoloration and is considering using colored vases to ensure red water is not seen through the vases, should any discoloration happen.
"We do regular testing to make sure our alkalinity and pH level is set properly," said David Haut, who manages the water levels for the poinsettia greenhouse. "I guess we’re optimistic that maybe we won’t have to spend as much money on additives to the water. It might be better for growing plants," he said. David Haut uses additives to balance acid and base in the greenhouse water supply.
"We’re (David and Becca Haut) looking forward to the change, because we’ve had the (radium level) warnings for drinking water recently. So, we’re hoping that this will cure all of that," said David Haut, who lives in Waukesha.
Cammy Mantanona of Flowers by Cammy said her plan is to use reserves of pre-stocked tap water if there are concerns of discoloration or strong smell. The floral company planned on a two-day supply of water, thinking only one would be needed. Since the Lake Michigan water was not yet at the store location this morning, plants were watered with regular tap water.
"We are watching the map closely, and our water is not here yet. In preparation we did stock up on tap water this weekend," said Mantanona. "We use plain tap water for our plants, and then we use a flower-food water for our cut flowers."
Lake Michigan tap water is recommended for both houseplants and cut flowers. Both Mantanona and Becca Haut said the main concern is the initial transition days, when discoloration may be highest. As water flushes through the system for the first time, debris is likely to be swept through the pipes and out faucets.
"It sounds like it’s going to be an appearance issue more than anything else. We do add conditioners to our water, and everything that leaves here in water is in that conditioned water," said Mantanona. "We anticipate it being only a couple days, from everything we read, but we don’t really know until it happens."
