Been thinking about setting up a simple system to catch and use rainwater around the house—mostly for gardening and maybe washing the car. But then I started wondering if I should be treating or filtering it somehow first. I mean, it's just rain, right? But roofs and gutters aren't exactly spotless, you know. Curious what everyone else does... quick poll:
- Use it straight from collection, no treatment
- Basic filtering (mesh/screens)
- Advanced filtering (carbon filters, UV, etc.)
- Don't use rainwater at all
"But roofs and gutters aren't exactly spotless, you know."
Exactly my thinking. I use basic mesh filters just to catch leaves and debris—works fine for gardening and washing the car. But if you're planning to store it longer-term, consider adding a first-flush diverter. It dumps the initial runoff, which is usually the dirtiest, and keeps your stored water cleaner overall.
I've installed plenty of first-flush diverters for clients, and yeah, they do help. But honestly, even with those in place, you'd be surprised at the stuff that still makes it through. I remember checking a client's tank once—had a diverter and mesh filters installed—and we still found a thin layer of grime at the bottom after about a year. Nothing major, but it was there.
If you're just watering plants or washing cars, no big deal. But if you're thinking about drinking or cooking with it, I'd definitely recommend some additional filtration or UV treatment. Rainwater's great, but roofs collect bird droppings, dust, pollen...you name it. Better safe than sorry.
