Can I Drink My Rainwater?

Is the water in your rainwater tank safe to drink? Theoretically, yes and many people do. A lot of Tanks manufactured today, are all made from food grade polyethylene and do not colour or taint the water.

Whilst rainwater is pure and contains no chemicals or pathogens, once it lands on the roof it can become contaminated with bird and animal droppings, insects, chemicals from the roof surface itself and airborne pathogens which settle on the roof in the dust.

It would be important to ensure that the roof and gutters are clean, to use a “first flush” system and various health sites suggest that other measures such as boiling the water, filtration systems or chlorination could be used.

Think before you drink and treat the water if you are unsure.