Generally, yes, you can drink water from a rainwater tank, but only if the tank and its catchment system are properly maintained. A well-maintained system provides good quality drinking water. However, several factors determine its safety.
Factors Affecting Rainwater Tank Water Safety
- Catchment System: The roof and gutters collecting the rainwater must be clean. Bird droppings, leaves, and other contaminants can pollute the water before it even reaches the tank. A clean catchment system is crucial.
- Tank Maintenance: Regular cleaning and inspection of the tank are essential. Algae, sediment, and other debris can accumulate, compromising water quality.
- Water Clarity, Taste, and Smell: If the water is cloudy, has a strong odor, or tastes unpleasant, it's likely unsafe to drink. These are indicators of potential contamination.
- Filtration: While not always necessary for a well-maintained system, filtration can further improve water quality. Reverse osmosis systems are effective but slow.
Several sources indicate that rainwater is relatively safe, provided it's collected and stored properly. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]. However, some advise against drinking rainwater if another safe water source is available [8] and emphasize the need for regular testing for germs and chemicals [10]. This highlights the importance of proper maintenance and, in some cases, filtration.
While rainwater collected directly from the sky might be relatively pure, its journey through the collection system and into storage greatly impacts its drinkability [4]. For safe consumption, the water needs to be free from harmful germs and chemicals [6].
Remember: Always visually inspect the water before consuming it. If in doubt, don't drink it!
1 Health NSW. (Jul 30, 2024). Rainwater tanks.
2 Team Poly Water. (Jun 15, 2018). Is it Safe to Drink Water from Rainwater Tanks?
3 Quora. (May 2, 2020). What would happen if you drink a cup of rain water?
4 Smartwateronline. Turning rainwater into drinking water – how to make rainwater safe for drinking.
5 National Poly Industries. (Jun 15, 2018). Is it Safe to Drink Rainwater from Water Tanks?
6 HE10148. Water collection tanks and safe household water.
7 ABC News. (Nov 29, 2017). Tank water: How to protect yourself from gastro, toxic metals and more.
8 SA Health. Rainwater.
9 Reddit. (Dec 8, 2022). Filtering rainwater for drinking water?
10 CDC. (Jul 23, 2024). Collecting Rainwater and Your Health: An Overview.
