Is It Safe To Collect Rain Water On A Roof

This is called the first wash and will be discussed in detail in the first filtering chapter.

Is it safe to collect rain water on a roof. Roof runoff has many outdoor uses. Yes rain water is perfectly safe for drinking purpose and qualifies all who tests till the time it hits your rooftop where it interacts with the dirt stored there. Most studies agree that it is a good practice to eliminate the first few gallons of rainfall that is collected from the roof. Unless the zinc content is particularly high it is safe to use on lawns and ornamental gardens.

Although it is the homeowner s responsibility to ensure drinking water is clean he says information on the safe collection and storage of roof collected rainwater seems not to be reaching many. Safe roofing materials for rainwater harvesting. Rain can wash different types of contaminants into the water you collect for example bird poop on your roof could end up in your water barrel or tank. Drinkable rainwater can be collected from most roof types including undamaged asbestos colorbond zincalume and galvanized steel.

The quality of water coming off of a roof during a rain tends to improve as the rain continues. Use it to wash cars and outdoor equipment and to rinse patios. Germs and other contaminants while useful for many things rainwater is not as pure as you might think so you can t assume it s safe to drink. It is important to find out if the material or the paint used on your roof or in your gutters could contaminate your rainwater.