Ajit Karn
Is Rainwater Good For Bathing and Drinking? Rainfall is one of the sources of water, and in some regions of the globe, it is the primary source. Many individuals have not collected rainwater for domestic use. Some individuals would have only been exposed to rainfall if they were trapped in a storm.
In actuality, rainwater is fresher than the majority of our other water sources. It is natural, and the only contaminants are dust particles in the air, which are eventually eliminated. As some believe, bathing with precipitation has no disadvantages or negative effects.
There appears to be little awareness of the numerous benefits that rainwater has for the human body. People do not collect and store rainwater for this reason. Rainwater is also the purest and most accessible source of free water. Occasionally, you may choose to use rainwater instead of recycled water.
When it showers, precipitation seeps into the earth and becomes groundwater, a component of lakes and rivers. If precipitation is not conserved, groundwater resources continually replenish, resulting in a water shortage.
People can save surplus water and use it in other ways in areas where there is continuous rainfall. The complete process of collecting rainwater for future use is known as rainwater harvesting. Here are defining Is Rainwater Good For Bathing and Drinking?
You must read this article if you want to learn more about rainwater, how to use it, and whether it is suitable for bathing.
Is Rainwater Good For Bathing and Drinking? Let us Discuss…..
Can Rainwater Be Used For Showers?
Homeowners who collect rainwater use it for common domestic tasks such as cleaning, bathing, and flushing the lavatory.
Many people believe that rainwater is unsanitary and can cause infections when used for showering. We will determine whether this is true and whether you should take showers with rainfall.
Yes, you can use rainwater for showers; in addition to its many health benefits, it is a wonderful and inexpensive alternative to municipal water. Rainwater is the purest and least contaminated water source, as it contains no added compounds and is devoid of pollutants such as chlorine and fluoride.
Rainwater is gentle, so it contains fewer dissolved minerals; this form of water has numerous health benefits for the human body. Soft water is beneficial for human hair because it has an alkaline pH and is devoid of heavy metals; this promotes hair growth and keeps hair healthy. The skin’s moisture and elasticity are also preserved by rainwater.
Since rainwater is alkaline, it will effectively remove impurities and grime from the epidermis. Regularly showering with rainfall will therefore revive, refresh, and make drab hair appear glossy. If you have sensitive skin, having a shower with rainwater will alleviate the symptoms and adverse reactions caused by harsh water.
When used with gentle water, such as rainwater, soaps and detergents are more effective. You will generate an excellent lather that you can use to clean yourself; you do not even need that much lather to achieve cleanliness. This is the same result as using runoff for laundry and dishwashing.
Find a method to collect rainwater and install a filter to ensure that you only use pure water for all of your household’s needs. It is unnecessary to treat collected rainfall before using it, as doing so would alter some of its properties.
Is Rainwater Clean?
The benefits of rainwater are unbelievably underrated. If more people know these and switch to use rainwater, there will be a reduced impact on the environment. The false assumption that rainwater is unclean has made people not know the benefits. We will debunk this false assumption.
Rainwater is clean; in fact, it is the cleanest source of water on our planet, cleaner than tap water, distilled water, well water, spring water, and other types of water. This does not mean rainwater does not contain impurities; it does, but not in the same quantity as other forms of water.
When rain falls, dirt and contaminants in the atmosphere make rainwater impure. Leaves, wind-blow dirt, insects, contaminated litter on the catchment areas, as well as fecal droppings from animals and birds are the most common rainwater contaminants.
Another thing that contaminates rainwater is poor storage. Poor hygiene in storing rainwater is bad and makes the water unfit for use. Most times, roofs are used as catchment areas for harvesting rainwater, and the type of roof used can also contaminate the water.
The most common roofing materials used are concrete or clay tile, metal, slate, wood shingle, and asphalt or composite shingle. The water will be contaminated when you have an asphalt or composite shingle catchment area because toxins can leach into these roofing materials.
There are two effective ways of purifying rainwater and improving the quality; by filtering or boiling it. Filtering rainwater using a home water filtration pitcher removes dust, mold, chemicals, pollen, and other contaminants. Boiling rainwater kills off all the pathogens.
Can You Drink Rainwater?
Have you ever watched the rain falling and thought of sticking out your tongue to drink the water? Regardless of how you want to do this, the thought of the dirt and contaminants in the water will not make you drink it. So, the question arising is if rainwater is safe for drinking.
Of course, you can drink rainwater; it is cleaner than most public water supplies around. However, drinking rainwater without purifying it either by boiling or using a purifier is not advised. It would help if you stayed clear of rainwater that has come in contact with dirty items or has touched buildings or plants.
Also, there are contaminants in the atmosphere where the rain passes through before making its way to the ground. So, it is prone to collect air pollutants before it gets to the ground.
Even though rainwater is the purest form of water because it is not exposed to any of the chemicals on the ground, you should always run it through a proper filtering system.
You need to be extra careful with rainwater for drinking if you live in any area with power plants, chemical plants, paper mills, or any industrial company, because the waste from these factories will contaminate the rainwater, so you should either avoid it or ensure you purify it properly before using it.
So, before you start drinking rainwater, you should learn how to collect it and store it properly.
You should make sure you use a gravity-based collection method to harvest the water, and you have to monitor it for optimal pH level and clarity. You also need to protect and shield the water from potential chemical coagulants and harmful contaminants. Using chemicals to purify water is not as healthy as you think.
When chemicals are used to purify water, they are not removed, so they end up in the drinker’s body, and they cause damage. If you can, you can use nano-filtration to remove all harmful bacteria and material solids. Then you can transfer the water into bottles without the risk of exposing it to toxins.
Are There Any Health Benefits of Bathing With Rainwater
The only time most people took a shower with rainwater was during their childhood. During that period, almost everyone anticipated a shower under the rain. Now, as grownups, only a few people still use rainwater to take their baths. There are lots of health benefits to using rainwater for bathing.
Earlier, we talked about the benefits of rainwater to your hair and skin. We will look at other health benefits of bathing with rainwater.
There are microorganisms in rainwater that can produce vitamin B12 as a byproduct of their activity. The alkalinity of rainwater helps with inflamed boil and acne, reducing pain and inflammation.
Vitamin B12 boosts the radiance of dull and mature skins; it also diminishes the look of dark spots and uneven skin tone. Bathing with rainwater also balances the hormones. It is also effective for treating an ear infection. The heat and dirt during the summer season can result in painful rashes.
Taking your bath with rainwater can cool your body down and treat the rashes. Rainwater balances the skin’s temperature and gets rid of the rashes associated with summer. Bathing with rainwater also releases happiness hormones like serotonin and endorphins.
Also read: How to Enjoy the Holidays Without Putting on Weight
Various Ways To Use Rainwater
You can use rainwater for various purposes other than bathing. As long as you properly collect and store the rainwater, you should have no problem using it for other purposes. Rainwater is a good alternative to other forms of water.
1. Cooking And Drinking
Rainwater is pure and perfect for drinking and cooking. As long as the rainwater has been purified, you can use it for human consumption. You must have installed a filtering system, distilled or boiled the water before you should drink rainwater or use it for cooking.
2. Watering Lawns And Plants
Rainwater is perfect for watering plants; it is naturally designed for that purpose. After collecting the rainwater in watering cans, you can water your plants. You can even place your plant pots under the rain for natural irrigation.
3. Washing Vehicles and Equipment
Another thing you can use rainwater for is to clean your vehicles and other equipment. This is a perfect way of using untreated rainwater; instead of disposing of the water, use it to wash your machinery.
4. Filling Ponds and Other Things
Ponds are better when they are topped with rainwater. Also, the water is free from chlorine residue and can be used for various purposes. It is suitable for gardening, and the water stored in other containers can be used for multiple household activities. When there is a shortage of domestic mains water, you can use this one.
5. Toilet Flushing
The most common usage is toilet flushing, and it requires nothing apart from filtration. By eliminating the debris and particles, which discolor the water, you can use it.
6. Washing Clothes
The rainwater is safe for washing clothes, especially in hard water areas. As you know, rainwater is soft, and detergents mix up quickly, so you should use it. It also prevents building up limescale which increases the lifespan of the machine. Reducing the consumption of mains water can decrease the water bill.
7. Water For Pets, Wildlife and Livestock
The recycled water can be used for troughs, birdbaths, and other contains for wildlife. It is safe to drink and wash in for livestock and pets, especially when the water is collected directly.
8. Fire Protection
A large storage tank with a rainwater catchment system offers some extra protection. It is an ideal option for people staying in areas prone to wildfires. Simultaneously, prefer to install a good pump using which you can access the water in no time.
9. Compositing and Rinsing Vegetables
For the proper decomposition of the compost pile, water is crucial. You have to water your compost while watering your garden area. For compost tea also, harvested rainwater is preferred.
Even dirty rainwater can be used for rinsing vegetables that come straight from the garden. You can keep large buckets to fill with rainwater and wash for root vegetables, like beets, carrots, potatoes, etc. You can eliminate all soil off the vegetables.
Conclusion
Rainwater does not only benefit the human body; it also benefits the planet. There is too much stress and strain on the water table on the planet, so the more people switch to using rainwater, the less stress on the water table, and there is more balance and stability of the ecosystem.
