Using rainwater from rain water tanks – levels of filtration

As the title suggests, this article outlines the levels of filtration and/or purification of rainwater from rain water tanks, depending on intended use.

Rainwater collected from your roof and stored in rain barrels or water tanks can be used for most, if not all household uses.  In order of filtration requirements, here are some uses and guidelines for the level of filtration required:

No filtration required:

• Washing cars
• Irrigating lawn and garden using buckets
• Filling swimming pool
• Filling emergency water tanks for fire-fighting purposes

Coarse filtration required:

• Laundry
• Showering/bathing (as long as water is not ingested)
• Dishwasher (the heat and detergents in dishwashers help reduce any bacteria present)
• Irrigation systems (so that larger particles do not block micro-sprays, sprinkler heads, etc.)
• Filling toilet bowls

Fine filtration:

• Kitchen cutlery cleaning
• Certain showerheads may require fine filtration to prevent blockages
• Mist sprayers

Fine filtration & purification:

• Drinking water (fine filter using suitable water filters that can remove bacteria and chemicals)
• Water that is used for brushing teeth
• Where food is rinsed prior to eating
• Ice making

As the level of filtration required increases, so there is a general increase in the size and complexity of the rainwater harvesting system.  It is also very important to choose high quality water tanks that do not leach chemicals in to the stored water and are made from food-grade materials.

JoJo Tanks in South Africa manufacture a wide range of vertical and horizontal water tanks that are suitable for storing potable water.  JoJo water tanks are lined with an FDA-approved inner black lining that inhibits algae growth and keeps stored water fresher for longer.  JoJo poly water tanks are also made from virgin, food-grade polyethylene and carry a warranty of 8 years.  Click on the links below to view the wide range of water tanks, rainwater tanks, septic tanks, chemical tanks, underground tanks, tank stands and other high quality products available for JoJo Tanks South Africa.

JoJo Tanks South Africa offer a wide range of products such as plastic water tanks and chemical tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need, including silo tanks and silo tank stands as well as other high quality JoJo Tanks products.  See JoJo Tanks’ VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS (transporter tanks), STEEL TANK STANDS and OTHER JOJO PRODUCTS and see JoJo Tanks’ NEW 6000 LITRE UNDERGROUND TANKS. Also see our FAQ and WATER TANK PRICES.