Filtrating rain water?

[MTplainsman]

I read through the collecting rain water thread, which had some very good info. For those of us who have or will be set up with a roof collection system, how should we go about a filtration system for making the rain water palatable for human consumption? Any ideas?

[littlebitfarm]

Personally, my water goes through a 20 micron filter, followed by a 5 micron filter. Then through a UV light, followed by a carbon filter. It passes the bacteria test every time.

I do try and keep a slight chlorine (bleach) residual in the cistern. With the ability to hold 8,000 gallons that water can be there for a long time growing bacteria. Would rather prevent that. So I add a little bleach every time it rains. Experience, a rain gauge, and a cheap pool test kit let me know how much to add. Should never smell chlorine coming out of the faucet!

Kathie

[MTplainsman]

Thanks for the info Kathie. Could a guy run the rain water from a cistern into a boiler, then through a single step micron filter (or other method) and be safe?

[big rockpile]

We always had a Charcoal Filter,whis was a Box with Charcoal between the Downspout and the Cistern.Have the Downspout where it had a Flap in it.Have it tured where the water would go on to the ground.Once the Roof got washed off,flip it to where it goes into the Cistern.

big rockpile

[littlebitfarm]

Originally Posted by MTplainsman

Thanks for the info Kathie. Could a guy run the rain water from a cistern into a boiler, then through a single step micron filter (or other method) and be safe?

Do you mean actually boil the water? If you boiled the water (rolling boil for 5 minutes) I would probably just run it through a carbon filter (which is also a 5 micron filter). It will pull any floating stuff out and will take care of some chemicals that could possibly be there. Would still be good to maintain a low chlorine residual in the cistern.

Kathie

[MTplainsman]

Originally Posted by littlebitfarm

Do you mean actually boil the water? If you boiled the water (rolling boil for 5 minutes) I would probably just run it through a carbon filter (which is also a 5 micron filter). It will pull any floating stuff out and will take care of some chemicals that could possibly be there. Would still be good to maintain a low chlorine residual in the cistern.

Kathie

Yes, I'd bring the water to a rolling boil and then filter it. What brand and style of filter would be suggested?

[Cotton Picker]

Hi MTplainsman,

Here's an interesting concept:

http://www.biosandfilter.org/biosandfilter/

[postroad]

We used to drink it unfiltered. We had the intake about a foot above the cistern floor. This way any heavy sediment stayed on the bottom.

[littlebitfarm]

Originally Posted by MTplainsman

Yes, I'd bring the water to a rolling boil and then filter it. What brand and style of filter would be suggested?

Not totally sure how you are doing your system. Mine runs through pipes with a pump and a pressure tank. So I just use one of those in line whole house cartilage filters. The carbon filter is nice because it will strip some unwanted chemicals from the water, make it taste better, and grab the bigger sediment from the water. If you are looking for a filter to just pour it through, I don't have any experience with those. I would be tempted to make my own with sterile carbon and fine sand (sterile).

Kathie

[SolarGary]

Originally Posted by MTplainsman

I read through the collecting rain water thread, which had some very good info. For those of us who have or will be set up with a roof collection system, how should we go about a filtration system for making the rain water palatable for human consumption? Any ideas?

Hi,
This is a page on the water filtration system used in Eartships:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects...aterSystem.htm

These systems have been in use on Earthships for a long time, so I would guess the bugs have been worked out. I'm sure you can get more details on the exact filters they use by contacting them.

More stuff on treating water here:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Water/Water.htm

Gary