Taking the right precautions to enjoy rain water

Many of us feel that there is nothing better than fresh water and as such, we invest a small fortune in rainwater tanks so we can get the best benefits from delicious goodness that falls straight from the sky. While the idea is a good one, could we actually be putting our health at risk?

According to research, the short answer is yes. Rain water can actually be quite harmful to our health and if you are not careful when collecting it (and if you don’t take precautions before drinking it) you could be putting your health at risk.

The problem is, although rain water is generally clean, your tank may not be! And if the water is left untreated, it’s actually not recommended for human consumption. In fact, water tanks are generally filled with bacteria and can even have traces of toxic metal!

So what is actually in the tank?

Water, right? Sure. But there is a lot that you haven’t thought about. According to CSIRO & Smart Water Fund research, the main bacteria found in rainwater tanks is E Coli, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. This is thanks to all those birds, rats, possums and other animals that love to get on your roof and keep you awake all night. When they get on your roof, they often leave behind faeces, which gets into your rainwater tank – and if you don’t treat it properly – into your stomach.

How to keep your rain water healthy?

You want to ensure you clean your gutters regularly to make sure there are no bugs, bird or rodent faeces (or carcasses), and limited debris getting into the tank. It’s recommended you did this at least every 3 months. Every 6 months, check the quality of your water by smelling it, testing the colour and checking the sediment; and you should also check the pumps and pipes at the same time.

Once the tank is in good working order, you still can’t be too sure about the quality, so there are two things you could do. First is boil the water before you drink it. The problem with this is that you have to ensure you have plenty of water in storage, already boiled. Because when you’re thirsty, you don’t want to be waiting an hour to quench it while the water cools down.

So your best bet is to invest in a water filter. That way you can still enjoy the benefits of rain water, but you are getting fresher, cleaner water that has any chemicals, microbes and so on knocked out before it reaches your lips. Some filter systems have been found to not be 100% effective in removing dangerous metals; but if you ensure they are looked after and kept in good condition with the filter cartridge changed regularly, you can certainly reduce any risks associated with drinking water straight from the tank.

If you want to invest in an Australian handmade ceramic water filter, or to know more, contact us today.