Are Rain Barrels Safe to Use for Gardening

Are rain barrels safe to use for gardening? Today, we take a look at the risks versus the rewards and how you can keep your garden happy and thriving.

Health risks

Even when rainwater looks clean, it can contain germs and chemicals that could make you sick.

Your risk of getting sick from rainwater depends on:

• • Where you live
  • How often it rains (typically, the more it rains, the cleaner the rainwater you collect)
  • The season
  • How you collect and store your rainwater
  • How you use your rainwater

How germs and chemicals get into rainwater

Rainwater can pick up germs and chemicals in the air and as it moves into your rainwater collection system. Dust, smoke, and other particles in the air can contaminate rainwater before it lands on your roof.

Once rainwater falls, chemicals like asbestos, lead, or copper can get into the water. These chemicals can come from:

• Roofing materials
• Gutters
• Piping
• Storage materials
• Other surfaces

Dirt and germs from the roof can also wash into the rainwater you collect. For example, bird poop on your roof can end up in your rainwater barrel or tank. This can happen any time but is especially likely when it rains after several days of dry weather.

Limit how you use rainwater

Consider only using rainwater in ways that limit the chances you will swallow it. This can lower your risk of getting sick.

For example, you could use rainwater to:

• Water plants you do not eat
• Wash items you do not use for cooking or eating

If possible, use tap water from a public system or bottled water, rather than rainwater, for:

• Drinking
• Cooking
• Brushing your teeth
• Rinsing fruits or vegetables
• Watering plants you plan to eat

Maintain your system

Properly maintaining your rainwater collection system can help keep germs and chemicals out of your water. Maintenance can include:

• Keeping the system clean
• Fixing or replacing broken parts
• Regularly emptying the water out of rain barrels

Improve your system

Consider using a simple device called a “first flush diverter” to improve the quality of the rainwater you collect. The device directs the first rainwater that falls during a storm away from your rainwater collection system. This first flow of rainwater picks up the most dirt, germs, and chemicals. The amount of water the first flush diverter should remove depends on the size of the roof feeding into your collection system.

To help stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in your rain barrel:

• Add a screen where the water comes into the system, or
• Empty the rain barrel at least every 10 days

Check local resources

Collecting rainwater is not allowed in all places. Some states consider rainwater the property of the state and regulate its collection.

Find out what your state’s rainwater rules are by:

• Checking the Department of Energy’s rainwater harvesting map
• Contacting your environmental quality department or health department

Your local agencies may also have resources about safely collecting and using rainwater.

Benefits of Using Rain Barrels

Rain barrels, especially when used along with other rainwater harvesting methods, provide many benefits that lead to conservation and protection of water resources. While rain barrels are limited in the amount of rainwater that can be collected, they are a good introduction to rainwater harvesting. Beyond their direct benefits, they help raise public awareness of stormwater issues.

Collected rainwater can be an alternative water source to supplement irrigation of trees, shrubs, and flowers, thus conserving municipal drinking water or residential well water. Rainwater harvesting reduces the volume of stormwater runoff and associated pollutants flowing from a property, which helps reduce the amount of pollutants entering streams, rivers, and lakes.

For more gardening safety tips including water safety please follow Make Food Safe.