Firstly, let me say I am not a public health expert so please take my comments as opinion.
I, like many people my age in rural areas as a child, was raised on rainwater. We had no first flush systems or filters and never cleaned gutters or tanks except if they flooded. I still drink un-purified rainwater today in preference to reticulated mains water, which contains chlorine, bad tasting minerals and (in SA at least) occasionally enough very nasty pathogens (e-coli and giardia) to cause a public health scare. I have never heard of a rainwater tank contamination issue causing a health problem.
We also use rainwater throughout the house in preference to mains water. It uses less detergent/soap and produces better results for washing clothes, dishes and people. My biggest gripe is that I have to waste rainwater flushing the toilet, a function I feel better suited to mains water!
Todays obsession with purity is misplaced, IMHO. Humans life cannot survive in a sterile environment. Our bodies contain and need 1000s of different species of bacteria to function properly. Mild exposure to pathogens is necessary for proper immune system development and functioning.
Human faeces are up to 50% dead bacteria from the digestion process. During the late stages of pregnancy, the mother's birth canal changes to breed the bacteria that the baby will need in its gut for proper functioning. During natural birth, the newborn child is coated with this bacteria which, if left to natural processes, finds its way into the newborn's mouth and into the gut. Caesarian Sections and an obsession with sterility is thought to be a cause of many of the modern diseases that didn't exist just a few decades ago, such as asthma and gluten intolerance, for example.
Rant over... (apologies)
I do have a separate 1000 lt tank for drinking water and it is fed from the highest, cleanest part of the roof. It has a first flush system and a 0.5mm mesh filter before the tank. Keeping this stuff functioning properly is a PITA as the components all need maintenance every couple of months. I have a 1 micron filter prior to the tap to take out any visible material for the sake of guests. My main concern with contamination is from motor vehicle pollution as I live in the centre of the city 100 meters from one of the busiest roads.
Posted Thursday 15 Aug 2013 @ 9:26:50 pm from IP
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