Is rainwater drinkable?

Answer 1

Unless you are in an extremely polluted area rainwater is an excellent choice with a couple of caveats - boil it or filter it. The water that falls may be reasonably pure, but the vessel you collect it in may not be. Another problem is how it is collected. For example, if you have water gathered from a roof in a "rain barrel", you are probably also gathering bird droppings which may contain disease, along with whatever pollutants that may have settled on the roof. When I traveled in New Zealand in the early 1970's, many rural people used roof-collected water as their primary supply. I was warned on at least two occasions by local people to boil such water before use, as bird-borne disease may be present. (specifically Psittacosis, 2Nd reference). For them it was no problem, since they were constantly boiling water for a "cupa" (tea). In Oregon there is a company that collects water on a "rain farm" and bottles it AFTER pasteurizing it (3rd reference). Their label claims this is OK because the rain storms come directly off of the north Pacific Ocean. Personally, if the choice was between rain water I had collected, say by laying out a plastic sheet, and untreated surface water, as in a lake or stream, I would take the rain. I found the concerns I mentioned, along with others, and possible mitigation, covered in the article below. (1st.reference)

Answer 2

Is Rain Water Drinkable

Answer 3

Rain water over the ocean away from land is usually drinkable, but the collection mechanism might have salt on it at first (such as a sail) and one must wait until it has rained for a while to collect the water.

In areas of pollution, near cities or factories, the rainwater will probably not be acceptable for drinking.

Answer 4

Hmmm.... I may have think deeper, Im from Philippines and the best that I can remember are the Dams and watershed that were used to use the rainwater for irrigation and treated for water supply on some areas like cities. During hot and dry seasons the water supply is going low. Well other than those big matters, maybe water purification manufacturers have made mechanical system to reuse water or to make it good for use again. There are lots of manufacturers though. Have a nice day.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is rainwater drinkable?

Answer 6

Yes.

Acid rain and atmospheric contaminates may reduce it's drinkability a little, but it will still be healthier than many sources of well water.

Acid rain would barely be detectable when drinking. You get much more acid in a drink of orange juice. Serious extremes of pH due to acid rain is very unusual.

Answer 7

maybe it was 100 years ago, but not anymore.. There are chemicals floating around in the air.. The rain picks up those chemicals like a sponge when it falls.. Have you ever heard of "acid" rain.. For example, a smog filled area like Los Angeles CA, the rain would be so toxic, it probably would be like acid and burn if it was left on your skin too long.. I know cars rust more after rains in a smoggy area..

Answer 8

In most places yes. In areas with high atmospheric polution the rain drops can encorporate this polution during its fall and poison the water somewhat.