Agricultural Equipment Advice and Support

Rainwater tanks are an excellent way of helping the environment by saving water. If you want to use the water for drinking, however, you will need to treat it before use — firstly by using a filter to remove bacteria and micro-organisms, but also by using a pH elevation system to add minerals. Here is an explanation of why it is necessary to add minerals to your rainwater tank.

The problem

The problem with rainwater is that it is slightly acidic. Only when it hits the ground and soaks through the earth does it begin to attract the minerals that will lower its acidity. Springwater has had plenty of time to go through this process; however by collecting rainwater in a tank you will prevent this from happening, and the water will remain slightly acidic.

Unfortunately, acidic water is harmful to human health. Human beings need drinking water to be neutral in order to function properly. Untreated acidic water can cause a whole host of problems. For one thing, it will remove vital minerals from your own system as the body tries to neutralise the acidity of the water. This can leave you feeling run down and more prone to illness. Another problem is that acidic water can damage your teeth and gums. It can also attract contaminants from your roof and guttering system which can be harmful to your health, but would not be present in neutral water. It can also cause gastrointestinal problems, and prevent your body from absorbing vital calcium.

You should also remember that acidic water can damage your pipework, leading to regular costly repairs.

The solution

Fortunately, it is very easy to treat the water to remove the acidity. If you are using a concrete tank, it is unlikely to be a problem anyway - the water will take on lime from the tank walls which will make it more alkaline (although you should always get its pH tested regularly). Otherwise, you should make sure your filtration system includes a pH elevation filter. This can come in different forms, such as a pad or a cartridge, but they all work the same way - they make the water more alkaline by adding calcium. This ensures that the water will be safe to drink.

Make sure that your rainwater tank has a full filtration system that includes pH elevation, and you will know that you have a supply of drinking water that will be safe for you and your family.

For more information on rainwater tanks, contact a professional near you.