[Mel1966]

We are setting up a 12x40 for a little get away a few times a month. It will be off grid.

We know we have to get the gutters, then a screen filter, then the first flush filter, the water tank and pump.

They guy at the tank place said we could just put bleach in the water barrel and it would be fine to bath in. UUUMMM..not so sure about that. We will not be drinking it but I don't' want to bath in it.

I want to get some type of filter...either charcoal or the one that uses the light bulbs. Any ideas or suggestions??

 

[MattB4]

I have used rainwater for all my water needs for 15 years. I do occasionally add chlorine bleach to the storage tanks in the Summer but I know what a safe amount is. I arrived at it through testing and math.

You do not want to exceed .5ppm residual http://www.cdc.gov/safewater/publications_pages/chlorineresidual.pdf

In terms of filters, I use a whole house filter before the water hydromatic tank with a simple pleated filter for anything large, and one under the sink on the cold water with a higher quality filter for best tasting drinking water.

 

[davimi]

I'm not sure why you're hesitant about bathing in rainwater. What is your concern?

 

[cranky1950]

Thomas Edisson lived on rainwater at his Ft Myers compound in his 80's. If you're ever in S.Florida a day trip to the Edison Museum is a must do.

 

[davimi]

Rain water is the water supply for much of the world's population. It can have contaminants but they are likely to be MUCH lower than water processed by a municipality.

I assume the OP knows this so I am curious about their other concerns.

 

[KY Gentleman]

Rural houses often use cisterns for water. I lived in a house where we had one and it was no big deal.

 

[dillin]

I have lived on rain water all my life. Practically every one in rural Australia does. No filters are ever used and the water is drunk straight out of the tank. No one gets sic.

 

[Nomad 2nd]

What type of roof?

I can get about 800 gal of water off of 1inch of rain on my roof.

I plan on a home made sand and charcoal filter to "prefilter" it. (metal roof)

I'll probably get one of those Sawyer filters for drinking....

 

[airdrop]

I think they use to have a bypass valve on the downspout to run off the first few gallons so bird dropping an dirt flushed away first If you pressurize the system you can get 1 micron filters at most of the big box hardware stores and that small enough for germs and dirt but the charrcol is needed because if you have shingles you might get chemicals coming off of them you need to scrub out. A lot of people used cisterns back when but you need to search the subject more , maybe to clorex it from time to time is a good idea bugs ,dead critters in the gutters O my lol
http://www.ehow.com/how_8131839_clean-cistern.html
http://www.diy-guides.com/cleaning-your-water-cistern-tanks/
http://voices.yahoo.com/keeping-safe-drinking-water-cistern-9037135.html?cat=5