While water is running out everywhere in France, some of you have water collectors. Can we drink the water stored there and how can we use it wisely in times of drought?
In gardens, parks, on balconies and terraces, water collectors have appeared. For economic and ecological reasons, rainwater has become a rare commodity to be treasured. While some French departments pay a high price for running water, some households have decided to collect rainwater to water their vegetables and wash their floors, etc. Activities that go hand in hand with the water that comes straight from the sky. However, some might have the idea of drinking this famous water, stored in water collectors. Very bad idea.
Indeed, according to the government website, it is strictly forbidden to drink or cook with rainwater. Even porridge. The latter presents a chemical contamination, following its runoff on the roofs, but it is also contaminated by bacteria and parasites which can be found in the tank of the water collector. On the other hand, this rainwater can be useful for a lot of other things!
How to use a water collector in times of drought?
If you want to use the water from your water collector for your interior, it is only possible in these three cases:
- For fill the toilet flush
- Wash your floors
- washing clothes provided you use a suitable water treatment device
The rainwater that you collected on your balcony or in your garden can be used freely and free of charge outside your home, such as watering your plants or cleaning your car.
Be careful though, if you opt for a rainwater collector, you should not take it lightly. Thus, you will have to adapt your tank to the size of your garden or your roof, which feeds your water collector via the gutters, but also install an opaque cover on it to prevent dead leaves from falling in or the light created algae inside your tank.
A water collector therefore asks some maintenance. Indeed, it is necessary to clean its filter and disinfect the tank at least once a year. Once these good gestures are in place, you can do what you want with your rainwater, as long as you use it outside your home. But it guarantees you valuable savings.