Running a shower with harvested rain water.

[grimreaper]

Hello all
I believe you are not allowed to run a shower using harvested rain water but can't find any details. If I were to fit a UV steriliser and a 5 micron pre filter would that be safe and what organisation would I need to contact to have it approved or not?
 

[greenhouseparos]

not allowed to shower with rain water?
does that mean you have to stay in doors when it rains?

Anyway how does somebody know that you are showering with rain water?

[djh]

@grimreaper, you could start by reading this:

http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/downloads/drinking-rainwater-information.pdf

(I found it by googling for UK links about potable rainwater)

@greenhouseparos, there's a big difference between showering with fresh rainwater (or seawater) and rainwater that has been stored. Bacteria can breed remarkably quickly!

[odbob]

I use a 1 micron filter only and have had no problems other than on two occasions, smell, at this juncture, I simply do a major clean out of the system and start again, rain water showering is not for everyone and I suppose there is a risk as with anything, even stored/heated mains water. It works for me! p.s. far less scum with the use of rain water

[Iain]

Hi
I just add a few cc's of swimming pool chlorine to my IBC's every now and again. Keeps them smelling fresh and the bugs at bay. I have been planning to use a peristaltic pump to dose the water automatically but haven't got round to it yet(4 years!!) still on the same 20ltr drum of chlorine.
Iain

[grimreaper]

Hello All
Thank you for your responces.
DJH - I had not seen the term 'POTABLE' water. There is a lot of info on the net about this. I will check it out.

ODBOB - I used to breed Marine Clown Fish and Fire Shrimps. My salt water system held 6,000 Litres of salt water. The water that entered the breeding chambers was filtered via 10, 5 and 2 micron filters followed by a large UV filter. I would still like to find out the legal position but I am tempted to go with the filter / UV approach.

Iain - I used a peristaltic pump in conjunction with a 24/7 timer to come on at set intervals. This timer switched on  an electronic timer to dose micro algae to the larval shrimps. This was very effective at dosing a precise amount of algae. I think you would need a Polyethylene or Teflon tube for the pump. Silicone would not be suitable.

[Mladen]

Hi,

never tried to shower with rain water, but I use it for watering my "rolling" Composting Barrel.