Oil containers as drip irrigation

[matty]

Hmmm... Here's the deal... I can have access to 1000L containers, that would be IDEAL for a drip irrigation setup I need to sort out... Only thing is, they are old oil containers, off heavy machinery like diggers and stuff. Only used once - as in, the new oil drips out of them into the machines, then they are chucked away (scary really...it is better to combust the oil these days, instead of changing it)... So if I give them a really good clean out, would they be ok for drip irrigation, for veggies? They are not recommended for water for human consumption, although even mroe scary is that they are used for just that sometimes, but I figured the plants can maybe deal with a few minerals here and there? Safe/not safe? Would the steam do it? Read the water butt thread... Well...

[Wombat]

G'Day Matty!

If the steaming is an option I'd go with that. Also monitor the condensate coming out, it it still has an oily slick, keep going!

Nev

[Millymollymandy]

I have an IBC that was used for red diesel and my husband just cleaned it out with a pressure washer and some detergent. I watered my veggies from it last year and this year have been giving this water to ducks and hens and I can't see any problems that have come from it!

Of course we may all mutate into something interesting in a few years time.

[matty]

Ok. Hmmm. Good. I will give them a proper scrub then. Cheers! Will try and post a pic of it all when setup... it should look good... just under 500m2 patch.