The Crypts mailing list, February 7, 2003

> <<<When I asked at what pH he kept his plants, the answer I got was that the 
> pH was around 9.0.  At the time I thought that this was rather high, but it 
> can very well be true. >>>

That would be the approximate pH of South Florida's first level aquifer above 
70ft deep. The water is iron rich -- as evidenced by the typical reddish 
staining around South Florida homes using this water for irrigation. I can 
still recall the peculiar, sweetish and not altogether unpleasant aftertaste 
a cool drink out of the sprinklers could provide to a kid on a hot summer's 
day.

With the advent of PVC pipe and the advances in drilling mechanics, most new 
homes now go beyond the marl layer at 70-80 ft and into a second iron poor 
but sulfur laden aquifer that smells but doesn't stain people's homes.
.... 

Bob Olesen
West Palm Beach