White Oak Creek Water Quality - Ask Extension
Is it OK to water a vegetable garden with water from White Oak Creek? If so, are there any precautions I should take? For example, only watering soil ...
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White Oak Creek Water Quality #923987
Asked January 28, 2026, 11:39 AM EST
Is it OK to water a vegetable garden with water from White Oak Creek? If so, are there any precautions I should take? For example, only watering soil (not leaves), filtering out sediment, etc...
I have a vegetable garden near the bank of the creek in the southern part of Brown Country close to where it drains out to the Ohio River.
I grow vegetables for personal use.
Brown County Ohio
Expert Response
Hello Adam
Thank you for your question.
The best way I can help you is by referring you to your local OSU Extension office, because they would be familiar with your area. The link is: https://extension.osu.edu/brown-county-office
The phone number is phone:<personal data hidden> Ask for the Ag and Natural Resources Educator to ask your question.
I researched the White Oak Creek for water quality and found this link:
https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/epa.ohio.gov/Portals/35/tmdl/WhiteoakCreekTMDL_FS_feb10.pdf
You should check the legality of siphoning water from WO Creek because there are some vulnerable species of small fish that could be at risk. Also, testing the water quality at your particular site would have to be done to be sure of safety. There is contact information at the very end of this web page.
Your Brown County Soil and Water Conservation Service may be able to help and guide you with water testing. Here is the link:
https://www.browncountyohio.gov/index.php/brown-soil-a-water-conservation
I hope these resources will lead to answers to your questions.
Thank you again for contacting Ask Extension and best wishes as you garden in 2026!
Thank you for your question.
The best way I can help you is by referring you to your local OSU Extension office, because they would be familiar with your area. The link is: https://extension.osu.edu/brown-county-office
The phone number is phone:<personal data hidden> Ask for the Ag and Natural Resources Educator to ask your question.
I researched the White Oak Creek for water quality and found this link:
https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/epa.ohio.gov/Portals/35/tmdl/WhiteoakCreekTMDL_FS_feb10.pdf
You should check the legality of siphoning water from WO Creek because there are some vulnerable species of small fish that could be at risk. Also, testing the water quality at your particular site would have to be done to be sure of safety. There is contact information at the very end of this web page.
Your Brown County Soil and Water Conservation Service may be able to help and guide you with water testing. Here is the link:
https://www.browncountyohio.gov/index.php/brown-soil-a-water-conservation
I hope these resources will lead to answers to your questions.
Thank you again for contacting Ask Extension and best wishes as you garden in 2026!
