murky green water

[vee]

I have a large wheely bin sunk into the ground on my plot which is full of water, but it looks really horrible and greeny-brown. Will it harm plants if I use it to water them? Should I just use it near the roots or will it be ok to use a rose on the watering can? There is a lid on the bin but it won't fill up with rain if I leave it down. Is it worth keeping at all? This is such a great site for information, I hope you all can help with this question.

[vee]

[Svea]

looking forward to the answer! we have a cummunal water butt on the site which noone but me uses (for reasons unexplainable to me!) as everyone waters using the hose. tsk tsk!

anyways, i have subscribed to EJ's school of thought that if you water sparingly, the plants  will make deeper roots and take care of themselves. a good idea! :)

so anyways, the waterbutt is also full of green stuff - not solidly floating on the surface or anything, but green water through and through. i hope to think that it nourishes my plants (kinda like liquid feed?) but i may be deluding myself.

the resident bird population also use the waterbutt for drinking and even bathing (wooden planks cover most of the opening, at the water level)

sorry for the ramble.
svea