Illegal mining activities involving mercury and cyanide pollute the air, environment, and water bodies and could also contaminate rainwater often collected by households during rainfall.
Harvesting rainwater for household use is a long-standing tradition embedded in human life. I vividly recall our days in the village of Nyerede many years ago, when we would thank God whenever it rained. Rainfall meant we could collect water and avoid the strenuous trek down rocky paths to the Asuoyaa River.
Nyerede was a cluster of villages on the High Koforidua Mountain, overlooking Koforidua Township with vast forest reserves. Can we say the same about the clean rainwater we used to collect in those days? I enjoy drinking harvested rainwater, especially water collected after an hour or two of rainfall. I mean rain caught directly from the sky in a clean, unused container. This practice has always felt safe to me.
Scientists describe rainwater as water that falls untreated and unprocessed. It is a natural resource considered relatively pure and is often used for various purposes. Rainwater is slightly acidic, with a pH level ideal for many organically grown plants.
Rainwater can be collected from roofs and other surfaces using a rain-harvesting system like cisterns, barrels, or tanks. However, rainwater may contain bacteria, pollutants, and parasites, so it should be filtered and disinfected before drinking. There’s no evidence to suggest rainwater offers any additional health benefits over regular water.
Can You Drink Rainwater, and Should You?
Water is essential to nearly all life forms, making up about 60% of the human body. Your body loses water naturally through processes like sweating and waste elimination, so drinking plenty each day helps replenish these losses and maintain health.
Many people get their drinking water from taps, wells, springs, rivers, or bottled sources, but you may wonder whether rainwater is safe to drink.
Safety of Drinking Rainwater
Drinking clean rainwater is generally safe and is a primary source of drinking water in many parts of the world. However, not all rainwater is safe to drink. Environmental pollutants, harmful bacteria, and viruses can contaminate rainwater, especially in polluted areas or if it contacts animal feces or heavy metals.
While clean rainwater is safe, it can easily become contaminated as it falls, posing a health risk. Thus, drinking collected rainwater is only advisable if you are certain it’s safe.
Tips for Improving Rainwater Safety
The safety of rainwater depends on various factors, such as air pollution levels and the tools and methods used for collecting, treating, testing, and storing it. Some bacteria, viruses, and parasites can be eliminated by boiling, but chemical treatment may be required for contaminants like heavy metals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises filtering, disinfecting, and regularly testing rainwater intended for drinking. If you cannot perform these steps effectively, it’s best to use collected rainwater for gardening, washing clothes, or bathing.
Does Drinking Rainwater Have Health Benefits?
A quick internet search may reveal claims about the health benefits of drinking rainwater, but most lack strong scientific support. Although drinking clean rainwater can be healthy, it is not significantly more beneficial than other clean water sources.
A common claim is that rainwater’s supposed alkalinity raises blood pH, but the water or food you consume doesn’t significantly impact your blood’s pH. Rainwater is generally slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.0–5.5, and can be more acidic in polluted environments.
The Bottom Line
Collecting rainwater might seem convenient, but it’s not always safe to drink. Environmental pollutants, harmful bacteria, and parasites can contaminate rainwater, and consuming it can lead to illness. Boiling, filtering, and treating rainwater can make it safer, but reliable systems for collection, treatment, and testing are necessary for drinking safety.
Drinking plenty of clean water, regardless of its source, is essential for staying hydrated and supporting health.
