Can You Drink Rainwater?

Depending on where you live, you may not have 24/7 access to clean tap water. Or perhaps you’re trying to lower your water bill. Although this probably isn’t your most expensive utility, the costs can add up.

Australians pay around 200 AUD on basic utilities each month, depending on the size of their homes or apartments. Water consumption makes up a significant part of this amount. One way to cut your expenses is to switch to rainwater.

But can you drink rainwater? How safe is it? As it turns out, rainwater is safe to drink, but there are a couple of things you should consider before making the switch.

Can You Drink Rainwater? Is It Potable?

Sometimes, collecting rainwater at home might be your only option. 

For example, if you live in a remote location or bought an older house in the countryside, you may not have access to tap water right away. It could take weeks or months to replace outdated water pipes or install them from scratch.

Under these circumstances, it makes sense to use rainwater. This company and others actually sell special tanks for collecting rainwater that can be used for drinking, bathing, cleaning, and so on.

Not all rainwater is safe to drink, though. In fact, it can be risky for those living around manufacturing plants and factories. Airborne pollutants and pathogens can contaminate the water, affecting your health in the long run.

However, you can always collect rainwater in a tank and install a filtration system at home. The tank will prevent any form of waste from being washed down from your roof and contaminating the water. The filter, on the other hand, will remove debris and bacteria.

Another option is to add water purification tablets to the rainwater collected in a tank. These products help kill disease-causing germs, leaving the water clean. They are portable, convenient, and generally safe.

All in all, you can drink rainwater as long as you collect it in a special tank and treat it before use. It’s one thing to collect rainwater in a tank, and another thing to collect it off your roof.

Are There Any Benefits?

In addition to lowering your utility bills, drinking rainwater may benefit your health and even help your plants grow faster. Depending on where you live, the rainwater in your area might be higher in nutrients than tap water. Generally, it’s a good source of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and sodium.

Rainwater is also rich in nitrogen, a gas that makes up 78 percent of the atmosphere. Unfortunately, plants can’t access this nutrient in its natural state, so they need to obtain from other sources, such as rainwater. This process is called nitrogen fixation.

Although rainwater is more acidic than tap water, it benefits plants as it helps them break down nutrients more easily.

Conserve Resources and Lower Your Utility Bills

Still wondering “Can you drink rainwater?” The answer is yes. From a health perspective, this kind of water is safe to drink as long as you collect and treat it properly.

Unless you live in a highly polluted area, rainwater is a good substitute for tap water. Even if you live near a factory, you can always filter the water to remove debris and germs.

Farms and homes with land can benefit most from rainwater. Why spend a fortune to grow your garden when you can use a natural, readily available source of nitrogen, potassium, and other minerals? Plants need rainwater to grow strong and healthy.

Looking for other ways to save money and cut your expenses? You’re in the right place. Check out the Money & Finance section on our blog to learn more!