Dang, this is the third time I've tried to answer this thread, and something freako happened. Note to self: do NOT touch the mouse while posting.
Good thread, OP! I think this is important information you bring.
We moved to a dinky island nation 14 years ago. Since then, we've captured rainwater, and that is our primary water source. We capture it from
our roof, which is metal, and I coated it with an elastomeric coating. I was a chemist in a previous incarnation, and I believe this is one of the
most benign coatings I could use. My first choice would be copper, but not having a spare $42,000 to spend on a copper Tern roofing system, this
will have to do. We filter our rainwater with a simple carbon filter to remove the more bulkier sediments.
If you live in Colorado or Washington, you have problems, as your state has made it illegal for you to collect rainwater, so you'll have to be
furtive in your efforts. Know this: It's a difficult thing to enforce, but please research the penalties. I suspect most of the enforcement comes
form neighbors turning people in. If the bottom of your downdrop is a "tee" rather than an elbow, it can look like an elbow, but in reality the
rain can go straight on through to buried piping. Remember that you only need less than an inch of drop differential to cause water to flow into a
catchment. U2U me if you live in these states and want some additional ideas. I believe with all my heart that collecting rainwater should not be
illegal.
We have created an system through a double-tiered pvc piping that "wastes" the first 1/8-inch of water over our roof...... that is to make sure the
water collected is as clean as it can be. I'll flesh this sytem out for anyone that is interested -- again, U2U.
You can build a water catchment out of concrete for about $1.50 a gallon. If you prefer plastic (not me bro or sis!) you can buy a tank for about the
same.
We have no industry here, so our rainwater is pretty pure. Those of you in city centers might have to employ a series of filters to purify your
water collected.
I recommend you do this: Contact an analytical laboratory in your area, and arrange for analysis of water samples, using their collection and
transfer protocols. You probably want atomic absorption testing -- which is very expensive, but will test for a wide range of "unknowns" in your
water. Find out what you have in your rainwater, and then you'll have an idea of what filters you need to make it pure.
We use the rainwater primarily for running the house -- drinking, cooking and showers. We have a well which we use for watering garden/plants and
toilet flushing. Unlike most places, well water here is potentially slightly saline, or even contains sulfites/sulfides.
I think we should get away from fluorides, even if they are naturally occurring in your water system. Protect your teeth in other ways. I
personally don't think it's worth the risk, and I won't use fluoridated water.
Again, important thread, OP. Thank you
[edit on 10-9-2008 by argentus]
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