Can You Drink Rain Water?
The debate about whether self-collected rainwater is safe to drink has been going on for a long time. When browsing online message boards, you will find some who claim that their families have been drinking rainwater for decades with no ill effects. Meanwhile, there are detailed scientific journals that warn us rainwater is not safe to drink. So, can you drink rainwater?
The truth is, there are a number of safety concerns when it comes to the question, “Is rainwater safe to drink?”. Untreated rainwater is full of contaminants that are believed to be harmful to us. However, the debate is far more complex than just simple yes or no answers. Factors such as the type of area you are in, and the system you are using to collect the rainwater all come into play.
At Culligan ZeroWater, we are passionate about you drinking the healthiest and purest water possible. So, here we dive into the debate about drinking rainwater.
Safety Concerns of Drinking Rainwater
As mentioned above, there are several safety concerns associated with drinking rainwater, especially when the water is untreated.
- Microbial contaminants - rainwater can often have bacteria, viruses and parasites in it, which could cause illness.
- Chemical contaminants - as the rain comes down, it mixes with elements such as pesticides, heavy metals and industrial residues.
- Health risks - there are a variety of health risks linked to drinking rainwater, such as gastrointestinal illness, heavy metal toxicity, chemical poisoning and waterborne diseases.
Does Where You Live Impact Whether You Can Drink Rainwater?
Where you live is a big part of the debate around “Can you drink rainwater?”
Why? Because the levels of pollution within different areas vary, impacting the quality of the water falling and collected.
For example, in many big cities and urban areas, there is plenty of evidence of acid rain. This is rain contaminated with pollutants such as pesticides, heavy metals and residues that render it acidic enough to corrode solid structures. Of course, untreated, this isn’t safe to drink at all.
Whereas, if you live in a more rural setting, far away from pollution sources, rainwater may be safer to drink as it won’t collect as many pollutants as it falls. This being said, you need to bear in mind that there are still risks from agricultural runoff or nearby industries leaking contaminants into your area.
Finally, if you live in a coastal area, such as the Jurassic Coast, you need to be aware of salt spray. The wind carries droplets of seawater into the air, which mix with the rain as it falls. This means the rainwater has high levels of salt and other minerals, which, in high doses, can be dangerous for your health, especially if you have conditions such as hypertension or kidney problems.
Can You Drink Rain Water If You Use Specific Collection Systems?
A follow-up question to “Can you drink rainwater?” is often about the collection systems that can be used.
There are several elements to a system that collects and stores rainwater, working to make it safer to drink.
First-flush Diverters
The idea of these systems is that the first bit of rainfall flushes away, and then anything following that is diverted to storage, where it can be treated for drinking.
How does it work?
- The first bit of rain to fall hits the roof, collecting dirt and debris that has gathered since the last rainfall.
- This water is diverted away from the collection tank.
- As rain continues to fall, the water is sent to your collection tank for treatment.
What are the advantages of this?
It is argued that this type of system improves the quality of the water.
In addition to this, the system can help extend the longevity of your storage tank as it can reduce the amount of sediment and contaminants building up in it and causing damage.
While these are advantageous, it is worth noting that you still can’t drink the water directly from your storage tank; you will also need to install a further treatment system. Plus, you need to make sure that your system fits your roof perfectly for the best results, and it will require a lot of maintenance.
Storage Tanks
There are two main types of tanks that are used to collect rainwater - concrete and plastic UV-resistant tanks.
Concrete tanks are not the best as over time, micro-organisms develop on the walls of these tanks and end up in your water. These tanks are also extremely hard to clean.
Galvanised plastic UV tanks tend to be safer in both these respects, and since they are designed to be replaced every few years it is unlikely that enough micro-organisms will develop to adversely affect health.
Whether the tank is open or closed also matters. An open tank is not recommended. If you plan on installing a rainwater tank, it is best to invest in one that is covered so that additional contaminants stay out.
Filtration Add-Ons
From your collection tank, you need to add filtration systems that treat the water to remove as many of the contaminants as possible.
These can include:
- Sediment filters - the water passes through a mesh or porous material that traps larger particles.
- Activated carbon filters - water filters through activated carbon, which absorbs impurities such as volatile organic compounds and some pesticides.
- UV disinfection systems - exposing water to UV light disrupts the micro-organisms, such as parasites, viruses and bacteria, and prevents them from reproducing.
- Reverse osmosis systems - use semi-permeable membranes to separate water from impurities such as salts and heavy metals.
- Ceramic filters - feeding water through a porous ceramic material captures some particles and pathogens.
- Whole-house filtration systems - combining multiple filtration systems into one to filter rainwater comprehensively for drinking.
Maintenance
It is imperative that every part of the filtration system is well-maintained because this will impact the efficiency of the system, and therefore, the quality of water produced.
- Clean all the tanks and systems to make sure contaminants don’t build up.
- Inspect the system for leaks to ensure you are getting all the water possible and contaminants aren’t able to find their way back into the water.
- Use preventative measures to avoid algae growth throughout the system.
Further Filtration Systems So You Can Drink Rain Water
The systems above mean the answer to “Can you drink rainwater?” is yes. Because they collect the water and filter out most of the contaminants that are concerns to health.
If your mind is made up about drinking rainwater, there are two additional steps that you can take to make sure that it is completely safe.
- Boil the water.
- Use a water filter jug or dispenser from Culligan ZeroWater to trap many dangerous metals and contaminants.
Culligan Zerowater filters use a five-stage filtration system that removes 99.6% of Total Dissolved Solids, as well as 99.7% lead reduction and 95% of forever chemicals PFOA/PFOS.
Our water filter jugs do not cost much, a jug that costs less than £25 will last for a few years, with just the filters needing replacing. Plus, our subscription services will ensure you save money and time while also having all the filters you need when you need them.
Order your water filter jug or dispenser online and subscribe to our filter service when you purchase your first set of replacement filters.
