86 Protec ting Communit y Water
Collect Rainwater
Collecting rainwater is one of the easiest and most effective ways to have a
safe supply of water. Rainwater is safe to drink except in areas with a lot of
air pollution. Rainwater collection is a good solution to both water scarcity and
water safety.
Above ground tanks can be placed next to the house. The roof will catch
rainwater and divert it into the tank. Roofs made of tin or corrugated metal
are best. Roofs made of thatch may collect too much dirt to be safe. Roofs
made of lead, asbestos, or tar have toxic chemicals in them that will make the
water unsafe to drink. Make sure your rain barrel is clean and was never used
to store toxic chemicals, such as oil or pesticides.
Using a tin roof to collect rainwater
Ground catchments can collect surface runoff and rainwater. To make a simple
catchment, dig a depression into the ground and press down the earth or line
it with clay, tile, concrete, or plastic sheeting. These reservoirs can be used to
give water to animals or to collect water for bathing. If a ground catchment is
used for drinking water, it should be fenced to keep animals out. Water from
ground catchments should be cleaned (see pages 92 to 99) before drinking.
Water collected on roofs or in ground level catchments can also be diverted
into underground tanks for storage. This is a good way to keep water cool and
covered. It may also be less costly than building or buying above ground tanks.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012