Re-Usable Water

[Barewolf]

Having looked at the process involved in collecting rain water to use as drinking water, I have found that the comments here suggest it's unsafe, however people are using a system for drinking water using various filtration techniques such as using a ceramic filter, and a 1st flow system.

the comments so far have put me off drinking any water from such a system, however it's not put me off at least making a "Rainwater Collection System" which I could then filter through a "Slow Sand Filter", Which would make the water 110% safe.

I was thinking of maybe using a general rain collection system which would also use a ceramic filter, and then have the tank distribute the water into a sand filter, and finally into a sealed tank for drinking.

I don't plan on making this my main source of water, like i said, I just wanted to make it for general purpose, but most of all I like to challenge myself to see if I can do it. It would be nice to actually make this work and have an alternative supply of fresh water that is drinkable.

I will see how it goes with what iv learned so far, and update at a future date, unless i end up with typhoid, in which case.......its been nice knowing you all.

[Kymmy]

Slow sand will not make water 110% safe and will only reduce bacteria content by 90-99% if properly managed, they're designed for clean water sources (rivers, reservoirs where the bacteria content is already low.) If it's the only option then it is one of the best systems but as you have a known good clean system I wouldn't recommend slow sand for treating contaminated rain water for drinking purposes..

If you're that worried about water usage then bathwater to flush toilets (or newer low flush systems), water butts for garden usage and a in-house water meter to gauge water usage are good starting points

[slowcoach]

I kept chickens for many years which drank water collected off the roof of the shed and it never did them any harm.... humans are too fussy these days.

Originally Posted by slowcoach

I kept chickens for many years which drank water collected off the roof of the shed and it never did them any harm.... humans are too fussy these days.

I agree ,we have become far too dependant on pure water a bit of cholera and dysentery never hurt anyone

[richard s]

Interesting fact is that we are drinking the same water dinosaurs drank and peed!