r, rainwater collecting systems are vulnerable to environmental hazards, and contaminants can enter the rain barrels and tanks in many ways and can affect the water quality. Users need to understand that rainwater needs treatment and it can be treated by following these easy methods:
1. Use of activated carbon filter:
Rainwater includes dirt, algae, and particles of different forms so before drinking pass it through a carbon filter. Check for an active carbon filter container that can extract contaminants and unwanted smells and substances from the water. Allow the water to flow completely through the filter so that no toxic substance remains in it.
Activated carbon filters do not usually cost a lot, but larger versions or containers with built-in filters can be significantly more expensive. Carbon filters do not remove any bacteria or toxins from the water, so water is still not completely safe for drinking purpose. You can use a coffee filter for the elimination of bigger particles from the water if you do not have an activated carbon filter and it is an emergency.
If you want a more comprehensive filtering system, lookup for a container having a reverse-osmosis filter since it eliminates more particulate matter and bacteria.
2. Boil the water:
Take the filtered water, put it into a large pot, and heat it on your stove. Wait until the water is boiled and then place a cover on the pot. Boil the water for at least one minute to eliminate rainwater bacteria and other microorganisms. Let the water cool down before you drink it.
You can also use a pot without a cover, but because of evaporation, you can lose some of the rainwater. If you live 5000 feet above the sea level then boil the rainwater for at least three minutes to kill all the germs.
Before disinfecting do make sure that the water is at room temperature. To each 1 gallon of water, you are treating add 6 to 8 drops of chlorine which is transparent. Mix the water thoroughly and leave it for 30 minutes. Once finished, the water will have a slight smell of chlorine but you can drink it now.
If the water gives a flavor of chlorine then switch it to a container and leave it for 2-3 hours.
Study local laws before collecting rainwater:
The legislation and regulations concerning rainwater collection differ from state to state, with some of them being stricter than others. Review the local laws before you start making plans for rainwater collection. States like Texas, Rhode Island, and Virginia love the idea of storing rainwater and are offering tax exemptions to equipment buyers. It is also legal to collect rainwater in Michigan as well and there are no laws against rainwater harvesting. But in some states particularly in the American West, water rights is a complicated issue and it is illegal to store water for drinking purpose.