Most cost effective way to get water? (GB)
 

I live in a hard water area, and conscious that some orchids and plants don't like the additives. I am aware of reverse osmosis and distilling, but not sure how to do that at home on a budget.

Will conditioners work? I've seen them advertised in lizard shops.

The only ways to decrease significantly minerals in water are reverse osmosis and distillation. Reverse osmosis units for home use can be installed at a sink. Distillers are available but use a lot of electricity or natural gas. You may be able to buy reverse osmisis water at a specialty aquarium shop. Here in the US most sell it.

Amazon.uk carries this:

RO Buddie 3-Stage RO

Wow, RO Buddie 75 GPD
Amazon UK £79.14
Amazon FR €195.58

There's a spring here the neigbors have been drinking from for generations. I'm hoping to find a way to get a chemical analysis of the water.

It'd be so cool, it's right on side of our road down the mountain.

Hi Ray, I watered with fertilizer and mountain spring water today!

Spring water tastes so good because of the level of dissolved minerals, so is probably not the best thing for use on plants that evolved getting nothing but “nature’s distilled” water.

Buy a dehumidifier and use the condensed waste water.

Collecting rain water is 100% free. My plants seem to love it.

Rain water is my first choice buy due to layout of patio and drain pipes, it's just not feasible.
Humidifiers was my second choice, but running 3 still doesn't provide enough water, the house sits at 45% humidity. Plus paying for electricity.
I think I will have to invest in a ro under sink filter.

The more humid the environment, the faster you'll get the qty of water you need, reducing electricity costs.

I just bought 20l RO water, and it was also deionised. Is there a guide on this forum on making the water suitable? Because obviously it is now devoid of any nutrients.