How to clean rainwater for potable use Filtering Rainwater for Potable Use Sources of drinking water are becoming increasingly polluted with fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and industrial chemicals. Rainwater escapes many of these pollutants, until it reaches the ground, making the product of rainwater catchment systems some of the purist water around. Because of rainwater's quality, the treatment of rainwater for potable use, drinking, bathing and cooking, is not a complicated process and can become a way for individuals to become more efficient and environmentally conscious water users. A catchment area, most often a rooftop, is where the rain initially falls for collection.
Gutters are the components that catch the rainwater as it runs off the catchment area.
Pipes convey the rainwater from the gutters it to one or more storage tanks. Storage tanks are used to hold the rainwater collected until use. The filtering process can take place within a number of these components. In fact a combination of a few filtering techniques is often the most efficient way to clean rainwater for potable use. Filtering techniques included screens, roof washers, filters and disinfection.