quality of garden hose an issue?

After a trip to the nearby big diy "depot" I noticed the hose I picked up says "not suitable for drinking water."  I'm assuming this means there's something inside the hose that runs off into the water?  Anyone think this should be a concern?  To my plants, not to drink heh.  Thanks!

That means that hose is made in China, with chemicals that are unsafe for human consumption.  I could only assume that such would not be safe for human consumption after being passed through your edible vegetables.  Don't buy that crap.

I can tell you from personal experience that quality hoses save money over cheap ones, long run.  If you can find "Made in the USA" buy that, because it's jobs for your own countrymen who might employ YOU someday.  Keep the money at home if you can.

most hoses have crap loads of lead in them. thats why.

TheDirtSurgeon wrote:
That means that hose is made in China, with chemicals that are unsafe for human consumption.  I could only assume that such would not be safe for human consumption after being passed through your edible vegetables.  Don't buy that crap.

I can tell you from personal experience that quality hoses save money over cheap ones, long run.  If you can find "Made in the USA" buy that, because it's jobs for your own countrymen who might employ YOU someday.  Keep the money at home if you can.

hubert cumberdale wrote:
most hoses have crap loads of lead in them. thats why.

Thanks for the replies! I didn't even think of it until after I saw that... I'm guilty of having subconcious faith in corporate mankind still.  I think I will incorporate this into a blog post, mind if I use your quotes?  Thanks again!

hubert cumberdale wrote:
most hoses have crap loads of lead in them. thats why.

Figures. In a normal world this would be illegal.

maikeru wrote:
Figures. In a normal world this would be illegal.

Haha really...  I guess i'm just guilty of still having some subconscious faith in corporate mankind.

TheDirtSurgeon wrote:
That means that hose is made in China, with chemicals that are unsafe for human consumption.  I could only assume that such would not be safe for human consumption after being passed through your edible vegetables.  Don't buy that crap.

I can tell you from personal experience that quality hoses save money over cheap ones, long run.  If you can find "Made in the USA" buy that, because it's jobs for your own countrymen who might employ YOU someday.  Keep the money at home if you can.

Sadly even the "Made in the USA" stamp won't save us...  Here's the packaging from the hose.  All the warnings they say to read are hidden on the inside.

Most watering hoses made fr 'home gardening' are garbage quality...even most of the higher end ones.

Those heavy-duty, red ones (I've always known them as 'chicken hoses') are tough.  It is hard to coil them in small coils, but they will last 10-20 years in the sun.  They don't kink as easily as the 'cheapos', and a few kinks will not destroy them.

Like any other tool, if you want one that will last, and serve you well, spend the money up front and get a good one.  Or, buy 'el cheapo', and keep replacing it every year or two.

John Polk wrote:
Most watering hoses made fr 'home gardening' are garbage quality...even most of the higher end ones.

Those heavy-duty, red ones (I've always known them as 'chicken hoses') are tough.  It is hard to coil them in small coils, but they will last 10-20 years in the sun.  They don't kink as easily as the 'cheapos', and a few kinks will not destroy them.

Like any other tool, if you want one that will last, and serve you well, spend the money up front and get a good one.  Or, buy 'el cheapo', and keep replacing it every year or two.

Thanks for the great response!

Just to think... how many times i drank out of the hose as a kid... ugh it's making me sick.

There are "drinking water safe" hoses, and after comparing prices I bought an Apex 7612-50 from Amazon....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007UQ2N2

Ran Prieur wrote:
There are "drinking water safe" hoses, and after comparing prices I bought an Apex 7612-50 from Amazon....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007UQ2N2

Thank you.  That was my last thought, when and where I would get one.

I get the heavy duty Goodyear hoses with the brass fittings.  The fittings are heavy, makes them hard to wreck.  Nothing worse than trying to hook up 2 hoses when 1 was run over by a wheelbarrel.  The brass wont rust or corrode due to acidic water, although they may discolor.

If long distances are being serviced by hose, it may be worthwhile to install underground PVC tubing. 

I would be cautious of any hose that has not been tested. This is a non-profit that tests household items. The following link are tests they did on hoses. http://www.ecocenter.org/healthy-stuff/reports/gardening-water-hoses

Craftsman rubber hose has low levels of harmful chemicals. These are two new brands that seem like great options. They are both made from Polyurethane, and are very highly rated.

http://www.waterrightinc.com/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00M8UUWV2/ref=aw_wl_ov_dp_1_2?colid=30D54FY3DCVCJ&coliid=I3A6MOXQLS0Y12&vs=1#

I would also be cautious of brass, unless it is lead free. I would not use PVC Do to it's many additives and health risks. Here are a few of them that have been linked to PVC; birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, premature births and early puberty in laboratory animals, among other serious health problems.