Is Rainwater Safe to Drink? Here's What You Need to Know

Rain might amaze you with its beauty, but is it as blissful in every way? You may have seen many people collect rainwater, but are you aware of the potential side effects? Let's explore the safety of drinking rainwater.

Why Rainwater Isn't Considered Fit for Direct Consumption

While rainwater is naturally alkaline, as it comes into contact with air and the environment, it picks up pollutants and changes its pH from basic to slightly acidic. This pollution, combined with various contaminants, makes it unsafe to drink without proper treatment.

Suggested Read: How to prevent waterborne diseases during the rainy season

Safety Considerations for Drinking Rainwater

1. Natural Composition of Rainwater
   Although rainwater is perceived as alkaline, it often turns slightly acidic (pH 5 to 5.5) due to environmental pollutants. When rain hits the ground, it may carry harmful parasites, bacteria, viruses, and chemicals, posing health risks. Drinking untreated rainwater could lead to serious complications.

1. Contamination Risks in Collected Rainwater
   Before reaching storage tanks, rainwater usually flows over roofs, accumulating contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Collecting and drinking untreated rainwater can expose you to harmful chemicals and increase your risk of various health issues.

1. How to Make Rainwater Safe to Drink
   The environment today is full of contamination due to industrialization and urbanization. Rainwater, if untreated, is unsafe. To ensure safety, follow these treatment methods:
   • Boiling: Heat rainwater to a rolling boil to kill harmful microorganisms.
   • Chlorination: Use chlorine or water purification tablets to disinfect the water.

Suggested Read: Effect of Rain Water Logging on Health

Common Health Risks of Drinking Untreated Rainwater

Drinking untreated rainwater can lead to several illnesses, including:

• Diarrhea: Caused by ingesting bacteria, viruses, and parasites from contaminated rainwater.
• Giardiasis: A parasitic infection from Giardia in rainwater.
• Dysentery: Triggered by contaminated water carrying Shigella and Amoebas.
• Typhoid Fever: Due to the presence of Salmonella Typhi in rainwater.
• E. Coli Infection: Caused by Escherichia coli bacteria in rainwater.
• Salmonellosis: Another risk due to Salmonella contamination, leading to food poisoning-like symptoms.

Conclusion: Make Rainwater Safe Before Drinking

While rainwater may seem clean and pure, it carries contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and harmful chemicals. Drinking it untreated can cause various health problems, including diarrhea, typhoid, giardiasis, dysentery, and E. coli infections. To avoid these risks, ensure proper treatment by boiling, filtering, or chemically disinfecting rainwater. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of safe and clean water for you and your family.

Source:-
1. Khayan, K., Heru Husodo, A., Astuti, I., Sudarmadji, S., & Sugandawaty Djohan, T. (2019). Rainwater as a Source of Drinking Water: Health Impacts and Rainwater Treatment. Journal of environmental and public health, 2019, 1760950. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1760950

2. Chubaka, C. E., Ross, K. E., & Edwards, J. W. (2017). Rainwater for drinking water: A study of household attitudes. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 216, 299-311.https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/RAINWATER-FOR-DRINKING-WATER%3A-A-STUDY-OF-HOUSEHOLD-Chubaka-Ross/b2786e2606c04cb05b809003877e9a852b46d348