Is Rainwater Safe To Drink? We Put Ours To The Test

A lot of people have concerns about harvesting rainwater. We answer those concerns here with a very comprehensive test.
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We are Jim and Jessica, a husband and wife team who made the leap from city life to an off-grid homestead in Southern Arizona. We've started this lifestyle equipped only with two Permaculture Design Certificates and a whole lot of determination.
We’d like to share our journey of starting a sustainable homestead from scratch with all its ups, downs, and lessons learned. Watch us take on the challenge of modern homesteading, off-grid life, and turning this barren piece of land into a desert oasis.
#greendreamproject #rainwaterharvesting #offgrid

[@tlamont941]

Thanks for the video, I am 58 years living in Australia, I have been drinking unfiltered frog pee all my life. Still alive :)

[@MoeBulle]

Lmfao that's because you guys are built different, not all of us have dingo sand skimmers and fight kangaroos

[@cinnamondelaisla-ic4ck]

I think she's definitely being sarcastic

[@KB-lj4vk]

Been drinking rain water straight from our tanks with no filters, for 13 years! None of us has ever had any problems.

[@GRJannyDempsey]

We have been drinking from our well for most of our lives. We have had many guests to our mountain home in Colorado that have consumed water from our well. No filters. No Berkey. Maybe, just maybe there is unjustified fear about our water. Fear away!

[@brunobastos5533]

@Familia Maffia LOL, just stop taking all shots like tetanus and refuse if you got rabbis, go and check how painfull tetanus dead is or that after some days with raibbies your death os certain , love people like you

[@brunobastos5533]

Rain water is dangerous , manly because of the lack o electrolytes since is close to distilled water , that can cause kidney problems over time

[@IIIRotor]

Same here... I just throw ours through a Nm filter to take care of dust particles, (it's very windy and sandy here)

[@douggodsoe]

And then one day, everyone died. Black Hawks and Seal Team Six were seen in the area, but CNN said it was all Russian disinformation, according to Hunter Biden, who was paid by the Chinese to disavow Taiwan as a sovereign state. And they say I’m a conspiracy theorist. Just a coincidence.

[@svm409699]

It would be interesting to see how it compares to city water. I would bet the rainwater you capture and filter is of higher quality than what most people get out of the tap.

[@qua7771]

My tap water is nasty. It barely meets federal standards. Rain water as got to be better.

[@annoythedonkey]

Agreed

[@Sercer25]

@@qua7771 Water standards haven't been updated in 20 years. The government is OK with putting sickening chemicals in our foods and 'vaccines,' why not our water too?

[@ImigrentfromMars]

@@qua7771 My tap water is so bad I haven't drank it in years.

[@me-mj5dt]

My city water is 380ppm. My rain water is 7ppm.

[@mreckes9967]

Have lived on rainwater most of my life, that's unfiltered and untreated. Sure you get the odd dead bird or rat in the tanks at times but you only notice if you drain the tanks for some reason. Got rainwater at my present house and have lived here for 12yrs, cleaned out the main concrete tank a few years back to repair a small leak. Was about 8ins on black mud with no shortage of bird bones in it.

[@wkgurr]

My experiemce too. If you're picky about cleanliness, filter the water you use for drinking through a ceramic filter. For all other purposes use as is - straight out of the tank.

[@fcdraw]

As someone who works in water and wastewater treatment, what she said at the end about the forever chemicals being in other water sources is true. The reason they're so dangerous is because municipal water treatment plants can't filter out the chemicals. So it really doesn't matter if you have a home filtration system with water catchment or get water from a public utility, the chemicals will be there in some amount.

[@thebeesknees745]

So these forever chemicals have the same density and boiling point as water? As a chemist, I doubt these are "forever" chemicals that are bound to water.

[@fcdraw]

@@thebeesknees745 like Armament Armed Arm said, we don't boil the water in the treatment plant process but maybe we should test that out. The plants just use a series of filters, clarifiers, biological treatment, and then some chemical treatment at the end of the process. There may be some treatment plants that distill the water, which might be a good idea but I haven't heard of any.

[@thebeesknees745]

@@fcdraw what I was referring to was evaporation and condensation. The rain is a prime example of a natural still. Its not in the rain water. Its in the air we breathe. These forever chemicals boil at higher temps than water. Meaning areas like the great salt lake would have very high concentrations. The only way these chemicals can be in the rain is if its in the air.

[@Cannassuer]

@@thebeesknees745and if it’s in the air you’re breathing more than you drink obviously lol

[@Comatose_Era]

Dont worry about forever chemicals/plastics. Jess hit the nail on the head. If its as bad as they report it to be then its already contaminated everything. Rain water drains into rivers, ponds, etc where most municipalities get there drinking water from. After it rains wildlife and live stock will drink it and injest those chemicals, and then in turn pass it to humans when consumed. Gardens if they get rained on will do the same. Just keep filtering it to the best of your ability and dont let it stress you.

[@seandepagnier]

You are missing the point entirely. The forever chemicals concentration are parts per trillion and increasing every year. They bio accumulate as well.

[@Comatose_Era]

@@seandepagnier and they cant be removed, hence the name forever chemicals. So they will continue to accumilate unless we all quit producing them, which most of the species wont. So there is no point in worrying oneself about it. Scientists have been saying that we've been killing the planet and poisoning ourselves for decades. Forever chemicals/plastics are proof that they are right.

[@terrafirma9328]

Wormwood, all global fresh water will be toxic poison one day, filter, distill, filter, distill.

[@SpencerLemay]

@@seandepagnier "They bio accumulate as well." That's what he said!

[@alkaliwreck2474]

But but but the chem trails and the gay frogs! :P You said it perfectly. If it's in the rain, it's in all water, so they better start drinking pure Brawndo I guess lol

[@chrisreeves8037]

Big Berkey filter is what I have used for 10 years for filtering of rain water. I never had concern. My Grandad's farm, south of Lubbock TX, collected rainwater as it ran off the roof. The farm was founded in 1905. He and most of his children lived to be 90 years old. In fact he came to Texas in a covered wagon in 1886 then passed during the 1960 Gemini Space program. The last 10 years of his life he lived in the city drinking their water. Maybe this is what did him in! Thank you for the video.

[@heidrich55]

Felicitations! We live in Southern Italy and are harvesting rain water, too. Here in Europe we have to find a laboratory to do the bacterial test, There are no testing kits available here.

[@sylekin]

looks like that supplier ships to italy, i think uhhh you maybe need to look around more perhaps. Thank you for sharing that wonderful word Felicitations though, glad to have added that to my vocabulary

[@EC-dz4bq]

I visited Italy. Worst smelling water, I have ever smelled. Water should smell almost sweet.... not like 💩

[@sylekin]

@@EC-dz4bq thats gross man, was it city water? well water?

[@EC-dz4bq]

@@sylekin Not really sure, was the water that ran through the city. Was like a River/Lake area... Venice?

[@sylekin]

@@EC-dz4bq oh, yeah thats gross man.

[@Blindhomesteader]

It’s also helpful that down here we have some of the best air quality in the lower 48. Also very little almost no air flight over us down here near se Cochise county.

[@viejosontheappalachaintrai7270]

I'm sorry I haven't run across this video earlier! I truly am impressed. Rainwater harvesting is in everyone's interest, especially in areas of drought. It literally hurts to see water running off a roof when it isn't collected. Best to your endeavors!

[@kennethalmond8922]

Thanks for sharing, agree 100% :) We've just completed 3 years of rain harvest (54,000gal) from roof in Southern Oregon into 3 x 2500gal poly tanks. We run it thru rain harvest 'leaf/debris' screen -> 400micron sock -> Tank. Tank -> 20micron -> 5micron -> Class A UV -> home plumbing (no Berkey needed due to Class A UV). City permit/approved. We drink it, make coffee, cook, make ice cubes, shower, laundry, give it the dog and cat, use it on starter plants, .... all house activities. No issues and it actually tastes better than the city water - has just a slight 'rain' flavor compared to bland city water :)

[@esecallum]

you can be arrested in usa for stealing rainwater

[@kennethalmond8922]

Oregon law explicitly supports roof run-off but not other forms (ground run-off, building a pond, getting water from streams/rivers). System was city permitted/inspected :)

[@ssnerd583]

@@esecallum ...yep, depending on the state, it IS illegal to harvest rain water....and if that doenst make you at least a little perturbed.....0_o

[@dlyrag755]

I can remember testing rainwater in the 70's for PH and it was around 4, very acidy. That was back in the days of acid rain from all the coal fired power plants. I lived in Pa. at the time.

[@thebeesknees745]

More so from your car not having a catylitic converter. Nitric acid was the main compound in acid rain. Funny enough it was liquid plant food. The things that benefit the world the most are always outlawed. Plants eat nitrogen compounds and use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis. The environmentalist quacks just don't even know 2nd grade science

[@JamesAmbrose48]

Your channel I really enjoy. You don’t promote fear, stress, and panic like most off grid channels.

[@walkingto4078]

Forever chemicals are in everything but especially tap water. At this point we are not chemical free no matter how much we try and we'll just have to do our best without obsessing over it. There's only so much we can do. But Awesome video. I am going with rain water for my small five acres but still had a little doubt.

[@ericschulze5641]

Why is there more in tap water

[@gayle4804]

Glad to hear about this I always thought it was OK because it rains it rains it waters the plants that you grow for food I don't see any problem with it

[@joyclymer7377]

I so enjoyed watching you work on your home. I look forward to when you get back to home construction.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

We're always working on the house. Did you catch the last video with the basins?

[@hildebertocarreiro9232]

Ù should cover the water tank s tarps. Over shade out of the sun 🌞

[@joyclymer7377]

@@ourselfreliantlife I watch all of your videos. You guys are wonderful.

[@terrafirma9328]

Or paint the black tanks white. Less heat, less micro plastics leeching into the water.

[@hildebertocarreiro9232]

@@terrafirma9328 wanna make some serious money fill water bottles. And gallons serious need ur location....

[@Grandma_NC]

It would be interesting to see what you would find. I Googled "forever chemicals" and apparently they have come up with a way to degrade the chemicals. A common ingredient in soap, mixed with water and an organic solvent, readily degrades per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals”. I would love to see what your results are.

[@dianamohalley2820]

Thanks! We collect and drink rainwater without any filtration in Nigeria. We don't get sick or have any issues. In fact I feel the rainwater is safer than treated with chemicals water We get out of our taps here in the USA. Thank you for the proof.

[@lynhardie6291]

Carry on with your water harvesting, you on the right track. All the blah about rain water is frustrating, it makes me angry, as a teenager that was the only water we had for drinking on the farm. 😂 I'm now aged 76. And in great health. I hated the town/city water full of chemicals!!! Keep going you on the right track guys 😘😘

[@esecallum]

very dangerous to drink rain water. your lucky your still alive but most people die due to infections and cancer and gastro and cholera

[@Stop_Gooning]

The problem with collecting rainwater is that a lot of people don't know how to properly maintain their cisterns and get E. Coli or Botulism. You still have to purify water collected in an open cistern.

[@hopegap9508]

Great video! I would not go to the extra expense of the other testing. I trust the Berkey filter for drinking. Since your only using rain water and is not coming in contact with ground water your fine. It's the ground water and city processing water that I would worry about in a city home. I would continue to test it maybe once a year.

[@robertdavis3020]

My grandma used a method of pour off to help reduce anything in the water but she didn't have the high filters like you'll have. I can still taste her lemonade made with her water.

[@medina3420]

Great Video, Very glad you did this test. I'm starting my rain water collection system this month.

[@coyotech55]

Arsenic is sometimes a problem for well water. But for rain water, it shouldn't be an issue, especially.

[@elmerkilred159]

Rain is nature's distilled water. I don't think you have to worry about "forever chemicals."

[@wntu4]

No, it is NOT. Not even close.

[@elmerkilred159]

@@wntu4 Then what is it, genius?

[@zeez4178]

It bloody well is ! ​@@wntu4

[@macmcleod1188]

Sorry but see, "Pollution: 'Forever chemicals' in rainwater exceed safe levels 2 August 2022 By Matt McGrath" At the BBC.

[@rustinstardust2094]

That first test showed .2 % lead.

[@annwithaplan9766]

I knew the filtration system would come out good. Glad both bottles showed yellow. As for the strip tests, they only test for what are on the strips. I would've sent it in for a more detailed test for stuff like strontium, barium, aluminum, etc. There have been more extensive tests done on lakes, ponds etc., even up in the mountains and they were found to have those chemicals in the water (same stuff that's being spewed out into the skies all over the place). I collect rain water for the gardens, but the house gets water from the well. : )

[@baddog9320]

ok it doesn't matter. because if it did show. then you are breathing it also. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, its not going to show. because rainwater is distilled water. Stop believing these hippie lies. Only two types of people spread hippie lies. THE BROKE FOOL that believes them. or THE SCAMMER that saying the lie to make money off you. These guy often make what I call Azzwipe laws. Azzwipe laws are named after wiping your bottom not the way someone else wants you to. CALIFORNIA is full of them. And has been for 50 years I can account for. Oftentimes these azzwipe laws are made to make someone money. But by all means Drill me a well if you don't want me to drink or use rain water. It has to be 1500 feet deep. OH AND YOU HAVE TO STOP THE CITY 100 MILES AWAY FROM STEALING MY GROUND WATER. Yeap they have close to 200 miles of pipe to steal the water. And in about 5 years it will be dry. So they are going to need water from someplace else's. I was about to put in a well. Then I found the water drops 200 feet per year. Ever since the city drilled a well 100 feet into the next county to steal the water..And built a pipeline across the county.

[@esecallum]

sure if your a millionaire

[@ME-jc7xi]

Phthalates. Every plastic has them. Bpa is just one type.

[@watavuemountain481]

Thanx for the rundown. We are considering a rain catchment system on our off-grid property because our well has such a low PH and high Iron. We will have to go back and watch your install video to make sure we get it right. Thanx again, Be Safe!!

[@davekellar9049]

Glad it came out so well, I would worry a little about the water getting stagnate with such large tanks. Thx for the videos.

[@kurtcurtis2730]

That would be my focus as well

[@thojam9008]

I started paying more attention around 7:30. Jessica helped me really dial in and focus! Thanks guys!

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

That will clear up a lot of questions no doubt. Thanks for showing us the test. Stay safe and have a great weekend!

[@flock_ness]

Our well water has a LOT of Iron in it (tonthe point that the water is discoloured from the Iron) and a few types of bacteria that, if we rented this farm, we wouldn't be allowed to drink or even have access to, but because we own the farm, nobody cares 🤣 We've been here over 6 months now and we're still alive. The tests we had done cost around US$750, and to fix the water supply will cost us somewhere around US$6,000, so for now at least, we aren't able to afford to fix it. Rain water in most places is safer than well water. I am not at all surprised with your results. I honestly wouldn't be worried about it. It was an interesting video and thing to do though, so thanks for sharing.

[@paulaarthur57]

Excellent! It was great to see your waters test results. I agree with Jess if there are forever chemicals in your water it would be everywhere. Not sure it’s worth $300.00

[@handimanjay6642]

Glad to hear your system is working.

[@linacabrera863]

Iam glad that everything came out good ; May God bless you always.🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@nancydill5286]

I love watching your channel. I have not read all the comments, so forgive me if I am repeating a comment. PLEASE test for chemicals. Stuff is sprayed in the sky and also comes from manufacturing exhaust....What are you potentially down wind from?.....I will be collecting rainwater for irrigation in my greenhouse, so I appreciate this video.

[@sarahloy830]

I agree with Jess, if forever chemicals are in rain then they are everywhere. I have a Berkey and, according to their literature, it filters out that stuff. Thanks for the video. I would feel great to be drinking that water. Mine comes from a well in NH. I have the Berkey with add-on filters for arsenic in the ground water.

[@PatricesProjects]

I would be completely satisfied with these results. Like Jessica said, if it's in rain water, it's probably in all water.

[@jamesmay2631]

I am very grateful to you two for giving us your results. It is comforting to know. I just subscribed...Montgomery, Alabama. Thank you.

[@jaycousland9835]

I use a $30 TDS/EC meter to do an "at a glance" reading of my before/after 7 stage RO. It reads >10 ppm, where municipal river is 45, and muni well runs 60+.

[@isabelladavis1363]

Thank you I’m hoping we put a system together very soon …will continue going through your videos to learn more…stay blessed

[@WynterDragon]

I am absolutely curious if those chemicals are showing up in the water. I am trying to control all of my inputs since I learned about them appearing in compost.

[@niteshades_promise]

if rain is unsafe to drink, were doomed.💀🍻

[@donaldriffle4249]

Part 1 Love your research on rain water. I suspect most everyone enjoys turning the faucet on and immediately having hot water for dishes or showering. In a camper, you probably do not wait very long depending how far away the water heater is. Just consider how much precious water you may be losing down the drain, waiting for hot or even warm water to get to the faucet. I installed a "Watts’s" water recirculating valve, into my hot water line at the water heater. The second part installs near the faucet or shower.

[@junglie]

good tip!

[@j2d4oi]

Condense evaporated water, no surprise seeing it comes through clean. Good to see the confirmation.

[@426superbee4]

If your using a Osmosis water system? Your good to go! 👍👍👌👌I run test on my well water to. And its EXCELLENT! Straight from the ground into a holding tank. and that is it. No Osmosis system nor filters to it. I use a lot of water. shower and things. It can even set for months and its still good! Out side i will drink it right from the hose! YUM The water lines running out in the field, Needs to be flushed be fore drinking it. It does get Algae. Cause its not used much. I put in a water valve between the house and field. That is under ground in a large pvc pipe with a cap over it. Turn it on and off to the field

[@Ann-bm5qg]

Thanks for info. If you are already filtering the rain water before you test it then that’s not telling you if unfiltered rain water is safe to drink. I think that’s the answer people without filters need to know. Thanks.

[@danfulghum8278]

Wow, thank you so much for this video. I also live off grid in AZ. And use a Berkey as my only filter. I've always wondered about my own water and this video puts my mind at ease. I was wondering if you could put links to the test kits you used. Thank for sharing all that you do.

[@darkfactory8082]

Mmm, interesting, but I like to warn you to get (if possible) a test that tests also for aluminum, barium and strontium, but I think it will be hard to obtain those. Some scientific criteria is omitted to make things look different that those really are. I'm glad though the results are good, anyway the acidic portion might be because of aluminum. Try to see if there is also some tests possible for particulates, since metals don't dissolve in any case. It's worth to try it. Cheers.

[@jacoventer3219]

I'm not surprised at all, I also use rain water. If you're area don't have air pollution or low air pollution it will be most probably be ok. Glad you did this , thanks and well done 👍 awesome you just confirm my opinion.

[@onetransmission7871]

35 years ago I talked to a chemist who worked at a water treatment plant in a major Midwest city. All water plants operate the same way. There are actually 3 full time chemists at every plant. Their job is to check water quality and safety once every hour, 24-7, 365. He told me:" YOU COULDN'T PAY ME TO DRINK THAT WATER BECAUSE OF THE CHEMICALS THEY PUT IN IT TO MAKE IT SAFE TO DRINK"! Now read that several more times and let it all sink in.

[@hotchihuahua1546]

I would think it depends on the region you are in and the prevailing winds from polluted cities as to how good or bad the rain water would be . Your first rain might show a difference that a following rain .

[@Stop_Gooning]

My understanding is that depending on how bad the local air pollution is, rainwater is generally pretty safe to drink.... *however* OPEN CISTERNS are a super duper sketchy way of collecting/storing rain water. Essentially you'd have to purify it again anyway after it's been collected/stored for any amount of time.

[@alexanderkent9695]

You need to check for PFOA / PFOS. I’m curious what the level of these are in your rain water. However I think a Berkey should filter these out.

[@sondraflesch1463]

Thanks Guys I LOVE this !! Maybe it should be tested every couple of weeks? Maybe the air grabs different stuff at different times? Either way I'm so glad to hear your news. I bet people in Detroit wished their water was tested more often... Or I guess maybe it was but no one cares about it's dangers 😪

[@426superbee4]

I rented a ditch digging machine, And lay out water lines all over the place. Cause of fires. and it did come in handy for that. At one time i was thinking of putting in a trailer park. I BACK OUT OF THAT. Cause no city sewer. I would had to use Septic Tanks, and that is a pain in the ass

[@JANDLWOODWORKING]

I say spend the money on something other then the test you have been fine all this time I feel your good to go on your water. Love the videos keep smiling and happy days!!

[@ram1brn]

rainwater is in all actuality distilled water. Oh and Jim when reading the strip lay it in order running top to bottom of the canister that way you can read the results better on the comparison label . I used to do that when we had the pool up and running makes it much easirer to read it

[@terrafirma9328]

Rain drops form on dust particles. Distilled drops form on a container lid.

[@SuprSi]

@@terrafirma9328 You know that steam coming out of your kettle is billions of tiny drops of condensed water, which didn't require a dust particle to form? Water vapour does not require dust to condense, stop repeating that nonsense as if it's some profound indisputable thing!

[@ClissaT]

I've been drinking straight from the tank for most of my life and I'm still alive! I'm in Australia. The only thing that rainwater might get is Giardia which is a bird parasite I think. It can cause issues in your gut that you will need to take some meds for, for a week. Then all gone. The pH of mine is lower than that shown in this video. Mine is down around 4.5 which is a bit low but not like that all year and mostly in dry conditions. Lots of rain usually causes the pH of the rain to rise again to a more acceptable 5.5 which is a significant increase. I have diverters on the guttering so no crap in the tanks and then it is straight into my glass at the tap. All good. 😁😄

[@kevinh.w.crabbe8748]

That’s very good to know about rainwater I am very very proud of your showing this to everybody thank you Jess and Jim we love you guys very much and watching you from Alberta Canada ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@islandgardener158]

I don’t think you need another test, like Jess says if you do find that chems then likely they are in all water sources

[@kurtcurtis2730]

Agree- this rainwater stuff is worldwide. They have not only found nano plastic particles in rainwater but they have been found in human blood as well

[@ericsamuelson5968]

Nitrates are a product of lightning through the nitrogen in the atmosphere. Great for your plants.

[@RomanoPRODUCTION]

Interesting.

[@michaelpelletier4515]

They also test for nitrates in your well water when buying a house, its my understanding that nitrates if tested positive in your well then your well water has contamination from leaves or something of that nature .

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

@@michaelpelletier4515 no..from commercial fertilizers.

[@terrafirma9328]

When you said "copper .2 lead" did you mean .2 for the copper or lead? And how would either metal be in rainwater when metals are heavier?

[@guysolis5843]

Great video. We're looking at property in Missouri and there wells are the norm. We want to test the water there before making any commitments. I like the test kit you're using and I think I'll order it. Thanks for the video. I'm subbing and will be looking at a few more of your videos..stay safe!

[@OUTFXD]

I talked to one guy from main, his solution to bacteria was rather novel. He up a filter before his storage tank, and used pool filter chlorination tablets to shock the water, and chlorinate it for storage, then use a charcoal filter to scrub the chlorine out of the water. He said he has been using this system for a couple years without issue.

[@iknowitvn]

Thanks for the useful information

[@caboogie]

Please be sure to supplement your mineral sources. Your bones need some of those minerals :-) Fun watching thank you.

[@ericjohnson1008]

It's always great to test your water. I need to get some and get my well water tested. Maybe one day soon.

[@rlrlhyatt]

To be certain... Add some silver bits and a few copper coins... depending on how large your water tank(s) are. I used micro-screens to keep out dust and other things...

[@hittheflowentertainment8575]

Thank you so much for the information 🎉.

[@RomanoPRODUCTION]

I wonder what is the dissolved solids in your rainwater measured with a simple device TDS. it is a device measuring electric current in water so it measures conductive minerals in ppm part per million of water. Surely the value should be low. The only main concern with rainwater is contamination from the tank. You should check the TDS so you are sure there little to no "food" for bacterias. Also, the contamination of rainwater comes from plants nearby. Some plants put sulfur dioxyde in the air and if you collect water nearby the rainwater will collect sulfur and the water will be more acidic. The same applies to carbon dioxyde but in a slightly acidic water, the CO2 will not stay in water. You have made a very interesting practical video. Good job. edit: sucrose like sugar can be dissolved in water but the TDS meter can measure it because sucrose is not conductive in water.

[@pimkielen9081]

Also running our house on rain water. Just a sand/carbon filter and a uv light to kill the germs. Works fine!

[@paulehney4581]

Jess is absolutely correct: "if it is in the rain it is in the entire aquifer."

[@noeraldinkabam]

Nope. It gets filtered by the soil and rocks.

[@ciaragarrity6425]

@@noeraldinkabam Articles I've read say that Forever Chemicals do not filter out.

[@qua7771]

@@ciaragarrity6425 Can you explain what forever chemicals won't filter?

[@ciaragarrity6425]

@@qua7771 I meant, that forever chemicals are difficult, if not impossible to remove from water it contaminated. Meaning unless the water treatment plant near you is really well made, it probably won't do anything to remove the chemicals.

[@qua7771]

@@ciaragarrity6425 I'm looking to research this. I use a zerowater water filter. I'm concerned about the trash they are putting in the clouds (aluminum, barium strontium etc...).

[@johnchristian664]

How do you do grey water recovery and filtration?

[@TobyCatVA]

I have seen Joel Salatin drink water directly from a cow trough. That is just a direct hose line back to the pump at his mountain spring. So I wouldn't worry over filtered rain water, but the testing is interesting.

[@rogerrabbit6522]

Definitely extremely interested in airborne chemicals testing

[@kurtcurtis2730]

You can go to the CDC website. I reckon you can find it there

[@coryart]

It doesn't matter if there are forever chemicals in your rainwater. What matters is that your drinking water filtration is sufficient. From the Berkey website "Do Berkey Water Filters Remove PFAS? The short answer is Yes! PFAS's fall under the category of PFC's - Perfluorinated Chemicals. PFOA, PFOS, etc. The Black Berkey elements that come standard with our Berkey water do remove these contaminants by over 99.9%. "

[@davidquinn9353]

Where did you buy those bacteria test bottles? Plus would love a more analyzed test of your tank water.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

We got the kit on Amazon

[@CJLeTeff]

Awesome video, love seeing new video posts! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉👍👍

[@mark561959]

Really enjoying your channel and the insight into your off grid life style. Yes, I would be interested in seeing the test results for Forever Chemicals. Like what you said if it’s in the rain, it’s everywhere. Keep on, keepin on.

[@Bre19188]

What kind of pump did you use to plumb it into your home? Can you please link it below.

[@harryhoesch3793]

On municipal water and went reverse osmosis to remove everything including microplastics, then it runs through an essential mineral filter to get back what the body needs. Very happy with it. Am moving soon and will try to drop as many utility services as I can, but don't see RO filtration as a big solar electric drain. Going to utilize as much of gods assisted plumbing as I can.

[@glynischamberlain9126]

Protozoa, chemicals, heavy metal? Also, would you possibly have gotten different results with water from the bottom of the tank, opposed to surface tank water, I wonder. Things sink. I'm seeing your great demo a year later. Did you do a more comprehensive test? Thanks for a great video!

[@ramadhangwago5680]

I like how u collect the water , i learn new thing today .

[@jamesogu8179]

Thank you so,so ,so very much for this....this is really enlightening to know.

[@DalaiRanch]

I love your "mobile" laboratory!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Lol!

[@fannybuster]

One thing you might want to consider is Radiation in the water. Our local weatherman was a big advocate in making icecream out of newly fallen snow. Now he claims that snow has a certain amount of radiation in it and warns not to not make snow ice cream.I was wondering how water can be tested for possible radiation..?

[@terrafirma9328]

Geiger counter

[@fannybuster]

@@terrafirma9328 The radiation might be in a smaller scale,The water might dilute it,but it stil could be harmful drinking it every day.

[@SuprSi]

@@fannybuster Unless they live near a currently melting down nuclear power plant or had a nuke go off upwind of them I don't think they need to worry much about this..

[@fannybuster]

@@SuprSi Radiation is every where,Just sitting in front of a computer screen you are getting radiated

[@SuprSi]

@@fannybuster LCD screens do not emit ionizing radiation (you might be thinking of old CRT screens that could sometimes emit x-rays) Your smoke alarm might emit some gamma (americium). Yes there is background radiation from cosmic rays or radioactive decay of things in the ground, but not all things are radioactive. There shouldn't be much if any radioactive particles in the air for rain to collect, unless you live near a coal power plant or chernobyl circa 1986.

[@rosaolbera8768]

Enjoy watching your video

[@haroldwarner8980]

I have been a plumber for 40 years and just now I am learning about water safety and filtration. I am also taking classes on it and just started my 3rd 10 week class. I have heard there are forever chemicals every where even in rain water. So I would be interested in further testing but will not "demand" it. Sending water out to labs for testing gets expensive but is the best for getting results.

[@terrafirma9328]

The last filter system I looked at had 15 stages of filters, including uv and hard water softening. Next level will be to identify these forever chemicals and a way to neutralize them with othe chemicals😝

[@hounddog4363]

Isn't it crazy how deep and complex that rabbit hole is? I recently heard someone suggest that pvc has a chemical that's basically bpa, but one atom different, and does the same thing. Just imagine if it turns out that pvc is just as bad as lead pipes, but in a different way!

[@garyK.45ACP]

I'd drink it. No problem. In fact, your water is slightly acidic which will prevent build up of scale deposits on your fixtures and appliances. Remember that pH is a logarithmic scale. A pH of 5.0 is 10 times more acidic than a pH of 6.0. Orange juice has a pH of about 3.8 Lemon juice (fresh squeezed) is 2.0-2.2. Vinegar is about the same as lemon juice. I put squeezed lemon juice in every glass of water I drink. We use vinegar to clean our dishwasher and washing machine of scale build up.

[@jackkylejr.1112]

.2 lead in rain water is crazy high and way above epa recommendations - you need to check that with a more sensitive sensor.

[@danielhughes6896]

Do you have a mineralization filter? to add in the minerals you are missing out on by using rainwater.

[@terrafirma9328]

Adding minerals to your edible plants and food is just as good

[@shelleycottrell7596]

What about Aluminum & Boron

[@shfarah1111]

Hi Thanks for amazing video Question is if there is no bacteria in your tank why you pay fir filter? I do drink rain water . All safe And i never drink bottle water in my life as i don’t trust them at all ❤😂

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Jim/Jess one of your best videos yet. I would LOVE to see this test for tap water from Tucson and Phoenix. Wouldnt that be interesting?? hmmmm. Got a real chuckle out of your lab location. Something I would do as well.

[@Kingramze]

I'd think if forever chemicals are in the rain, then they're in most water sources which normally come from reservoirs that came from rivers which mostly came from rain/snow/ice upstream. Perhaps some well-water systems on small properties might have less, though. My main concern with rain water is bird poop on the roof the water is collected from. lol. You seem to have a good setup, and I don't know how often birds are an issue in the desert areas, anyway.

[@JamesCouch777]

I've drank creek water with no ill effects and I've drank lake water in Alaska that had been boiled and got very sick. I wish I could have had a Berkey back then. You should be fine 👍

[@jonlowing7907]

I live on a 400 acre grazing property 8 kilometres from a small municipality in south-east Queensland, Australia. Like most rural residents in Australia, we have no access to a treated town water network and rely almost solely on captured rainwater. Mine is stored in a 5000 litre (1320 us g) poly tank, which is adequate for me as a single occupant. We also have access to creek water which is pumped to a concrete tank and gravity fed to cattle water troughs and the two residences for garden water and toilet cisterns. I also use it for clothes washing. In the twelve years that I have lived here, I have used the rainwater for cooking, drinking and showering and never had it tested. I strongly suspect that, if I had, it would fail the test miserably because throughout much of that time, I've been sick as a dog, mate, sick as a bloody dog!!😉

[@hillcountrylivin]

This was very helpful and informative. Do you have a roof wash system before the rain water hits the poly tanks?

[@tammywhitten6248]

awesome results, thank you for sharing

[@deirdre5279]

Thank you for sharing this information, ive always wondered about the water cisterns and need to filter or treat the catch water. This was good to know.

[@brightonshores]

I'd test for aluminum in your poly tank, [only due to all the govt's admitting they've been spraying aluminum oxide for years & it was omitted on your test kit suspiciously imo] I harvest & use rainwater also...sending mine off for testing saying its 1 of my wells water