There’s a common misconception that drinking water from a rainwater tank should be avoided when in fact, this is certainly not the case providing that you take the necessary steps to ensure that it is safe. This includes ensuring that parts of your rainwater harvesting system are made of safe food-grade materials and of course, maintained to a high standard.
In fact, the vast majority of rainwater tanks manufactured in Australia are suitable for storing drinkable rainwater. After all… Australia is known in all corners of the world for its long dry summers, making water a valuable resource that is precious in many areas.
However, when it comes to optimising the safety of a rainwater tank, you also need to consider the following factors:
- Make sure that your rainwater tank is made from food-grade material
- Take note of the material your roof and pipework is made from
- All water tanks must be constructed from materials such as concrete, polyethylene plastic, galvanised and stainless steel, Aquaplate® steel, or fiberglass
How to collect drinkable rainwater?
Drinkable rainwater can be collected from the vast majority of roof types however, as a general rule of thumb, you should always avoid roofs that have lead flashings or roofs that are covered with lead-based paints, bitumen, or treated timbers. This is because these types of roofs can contaminate your water supply, which in turn, can put your health at risk.
At the same time, if you have recently invested in a freshly painted roof or you have had a new roof installed, you should discard the first few runoffs of rainwater if using your tank water for drinking purposes or in cooking.
Most common rainwater contaminants:
- Animal droppings
- Bacteria, parasites, and microorganisms
- Mosquitoes and frogs often get into rainwater supplies
- Chemical spraying in your area can also pollute the water
Our water filters provide a cost-effective and comprehensive level of protection for households reliant on a rainwater tank.
Use our quick comparison table to choose the perfect system for your property and water type: compare water filters
So why choose Great Water Filters Australia?
Our water filters remove contaminants, replace healthy minerals and create a perfectly balanced pH9. All filters are designed for fast and simple cartridge replacement and are installed in homes, offices and workplaces across Australia.
Our under sink alkaline, reverse osmosis, and whole of house system are all installed for free, wherever you are in Australia.
We also have a 100% no-risk guarantee and 10-year support package with all of our filters, giving you complete peace of mind.