Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

In 10th grade, I had the honor of being a representative from my school at the county science fair competition. For my science project, I tested the effects of Potassium Chloride (KCl) and Sodium Chloride (NaCl) based water softener backwash water on the surrounding grass. The fundamental idea was to establish which softener with different backwash chemicals had the most or least effect on the grass. To test this I used the backwash water from a Potassium Chloride based water softener and a Sodium Chloride based water softener. St. Augustine grass plugs were also used to conduct this experiment. They were divided into three categories: Potassium Chloride (KCl) based backwash group, Sodium Chloride (NaCl) based backwash group, and City Water group (the control). Samples of grass were watered every 3 days by the previously mentioned solution. The heights of the grass were measured to make certain that the backwash water would not stunt the growth in the grass, and the pH level was tested for the acidity in the grass. From conducting the experiment, I concluded that the control group exhibited the most growth and the highest pH level. The group watered by NaCl based backwash water, showed the second most growth, but the lowest pH level. The group watered by KCl based backwash water, revealed the lowest amount of growth, but the second highest pH level. These results proved that the grass, which was watered by NaCl softener backwash, had the highest growth, but the grass, which was watered by KCl softener backwash, had a better pH level. And the control group, which was watered by City water, showed the most increase in height and pH level. The goal of this project and experiment was to take the information acquired from the experimentations and analyze the data. Then the conclusion will be drawn and be put into practical usage. An example of practical usage is to use the information to help homeowners whether or not to reuse their softener backwash on their plants and lawns. In order to keep the grass at a healthy pH level one must not only rely on the backwash water to water the grass, but alternate between the use of backwash water and city water for the lawn. With the conclusions of this project, it can help homeowners take care of their lawn by recycling water. This technique of watering can be used anywhere. The conservation of water will help the environment and the community to recycle water. After learning the results from my experiment, it has been easy for my family to keep collecting the backwash water and use it on our lawn and our plants. It is delightful to help the community and the environment by my family recycling water for practical usage. This experiment encouraged me and my family to continue with our efforts to recycle and to keep the environment healthy with the best of our abilities. With this method of watering the lawn or plants, it will reduce unnecessary city or well water usage, reuse water coming from the water softener, and ultimately recycle water in a manageable manner.