Our Guide To Using Collected Rainwater Safely

Are you planning to harvest your rainwater into a specialised tank? Make yourself familiar with the Health & Safety rules first.

Our guide to using collected rainwater safely. Our advice is that you should never drink collected rainwater that has not been filtered.

While you can use filtered water for gardening, landscaping, and washing cars, it’s important that the water collected goes through a decontamination process before it can be consumed.

It is not advisable to water your vegetables with collected rainwater that has not yet been filtered. Unfiltered rainwater can be used for flowers, trees, shrubs, as well as other types of plants that are not edible.

Never use harvested rainwater for a paddling or swimming pool. Any bacteria, parasites, fungi or even viruses on it are harmful to the skin, eyes, mouth, and even internal organs. 

To prevent contamination don’t allow collected rainwater to pool anywhere in your property or in your collection system. This is especially relevant in warmer climates where mosquitoes can lay eggs in small pools of water and breed.

Remember water storage tanks are bulky and could cause injuries if they fall on people,. Water tanks can also be a drowning hazard for children and animals. It is best to make sure tanks are secure and have an additional secure lid.

Minimising the health risks from stored water

Rainwater can be used safely for many purposes. It is important to be aware of the potential risks and take precautions to ensure it’s safe to use: 

  • Site the rainwater tank in the shade if you can, as the water will be kept cooler, reducing the growth of bacteria
  • Keep the guttering clear of debris as the organic material can encourage the growth of bacteria in the collected water
  • Use collected water in a watering can or a coarse spray setting on a hose. A fine spray setting will generate fine aerosol particles which can be carried on the wind and breathed into the gardener’s lungs and cause infection.
  • As with all gardening activities, good hand hygiene will help protect you from infection.
  • Use the water frequently, as replenishing the water with freshly collected rainwater helps to dilute the stored water and keep the water clean.
  • If the water becomes smelly, you can still use it in a watering can. If there is a build-up of debris collected in the bottom of the tank, check if gutters need clearing. This is a better solution than using chemical additives.
  • If you use hoses for any source of water, disconnect them when you are not using them so that the water will drain out. This will reduce the risk of the water warming up in the sun which encourages bacteria to grow.

To view our range of water harvesting tanks visit 

https://tanks2u.co.uk/shop/rainwater