What is the best type of water to use when mixing herbicides known to be impacted by hard water?

Using softened or distilled water is the best choice for mixing herbicides that can be adversely affected by hard water because it is free from minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Hard water can react with herbicides, reducing their effectiveness and potentially causing unintended consequences in aquatic environments. In contrast, softened water has had these hard minerals removed, making it more suitable for ensuring that the herbicide remains stable and effective. Distilled water, which is purified and devoid of impurities and minerals, eliminates any potential interactions with the herbicide, thus maintaining its intended efficacy.

City tap water, lake water, and well water often contain varying amounts of hardness and other dissolved minerals, which can influence the performance of the herbicide negatively, making them less reliable options in this context. By using softened or distilled water, applicators can minimize the risk of those negative interactions and enhance the herbicide application process.