Surviving Guide

Like other water, you can drink rain water, but with precaution. Collecting rainwater for storage is important, as well as making it safe. These two points can be a lifesaver in a crisis.

There are a lot of contaminants that can make rainwater unfavorable for drinking. For those living around industries and factories, drinking rainwater directly can be risky. The truth is factories and industries create enough pollution that can lead to acid rain. This can even lead to life-threatening conditions. The case is not different from those living around volcanoes or in the places most vulnérable to storms. There are particles emitted by the volcano that can contaminate rainwater. These particles make it unsafe to keep drinking rainwater for a long period.

Airborne pollutants such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites can make rainwater unsafe for drinking. You wouldn’t want to fall very sick from drinking water. It is therefore important to be cautious even when your environment is strictly residential. Rainwater is safe for drinking if the following guidelines are properly adhered to.

These little tips answer the question Can you drink rain water?

• Can you drink rainwater from the sky if it falls directly from the sky without touching the plants or buildings?
• Ensure rainwater is properly filtered.
• Ensure you employ the right procedure when collecting rainwater.
• Endeavor to treat rainwater before drinking.
• Make timely and necessary preparations ahead of time.

First Alert WT1 Drinking Water

Ensure rainwater is properly filtered before use

One way of removing contaminants from rainwater is by properly filtering it. Using a coffee filter can be a good way to filter out contaminants. In a crisis, you may consider using a T-shirt. It is important to note that this is not a way of getting rid of bacteria.

One way of dealing with bacteria on the go is by investing in a LifeStraw. It is a good way of staying safe from waterborne bacteria and parasites.

Ensure you employ the right procedure when collecting rain water for use

If you aim to collect rainwater for long-term purposes, then ensure a good collection system is set up. The level of a contaminant in water can be dependent on your collection method. Setting up collection methods can be an illegal act in some states. It is therefore important to check with some states and local laws.

It is not a safe practice to collect water from asphalt roofs. This can lead to water contamination by particles. The safest way to collect water is by using a rain barrel. Water collected from asphalt roofs cannot be classified as potable water. They can be put to use in non-drinking purposes, like watering a garden.

The kind of rain barrel you wish to invest in is also very important. A lot of barrels are not made from food-grade plastic. This, therefore, can further contaminate the water inside. There are ways to set up a safe rainwater storage system. You may want to read up on a lot of materials on the topic.

Endeavor to treat rain water before drinking

Water collected from a metal roof can appear very neat. However, making water safe for drinking requires a lot more work.

It is the duty of water treatment plants to ensure we get safe water. What if you don’t have access to safe water? It becomes your sole responsibility to ensure your water is made safe and portable.

Treatment of water for drinking involves three steps, which are:

• Testing
• Disinfection and
• Filtration.

There are a few treatment methods you can try. However, it is important to note that no single method is comprehensive enough. There are different issues that can be associated with rain water. Therefore, more than one testing method is required to keep water safe and portable. You can view more cool lists to buy for better results.

1. Safe Home® ULTIMATE Water Quality Test Kit

The Safe Home 200-in-1 Ultimate Drinking Water Test Kit is one of the most comprehensive options for homeowners needing highly accurate results. With testing performed in an EPA-certified lab, buyers get trusted data across 200 parameters—ideal for mortgage approvals, real-estate inspections, and long-term water monitoring. This kit stands out for its detailed reporting, user-friendly instructions, and premium reliability. Whether you’re checking for contaminants, metals, or environmental toxins, the results are precise and easy to interpret. For anyone wanting peace of mind about their water quality, especially in property transactions, this kit delivers unmatched depth, transparency, and professional-grade accuracy at home.

Key Features:

• Tests a massive 200 parameters, including heavy metals, minerals, chemicals, and organics
• EPA-certified lab analysis ensures professional-level accuracy
• Ideal for real estate, home inspections, and loan requirements
• Includes everything needed for sampling and secure mailing

Pros:

• One of the most comprehensive water tests available
• Extremely accurate due to certified lab processing
• Professional reporting with easy-to-understand breakdowns
• Great for homeowners wanting a full picture of water quality

Cons:

• Results require mailing and waiting time

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2. Lead, Iron, Copper, and Mercury – Home Water Test Kit

The Health Metric Drinking Water Test Kit is a fast and affordable way to check essential safety markers in both tap and well water. Designed to meet EPA standards, it includes simple test strips for lead, copper, chlorine, nitrates, bacteria, and more—making it ideal for families monitoring everyday water quality. Results appear quickly with color-coded indicators that are easy to compare and understand. Made in the USA, it’s a reliable choice for routine checks without the cost of lab testing. If you need a straightforward, budget-friendly solution to identify common contaminants and detect potential issues early, Health Metric’s test kit is a practical and accurate option.

Key Features:

• Fast and simple at-home test strips
• Detects major contaminants like lead, copper, bacteria, nitrate & chlorine
• Made in the USA and aligned with EPA standards
• Ideal for routine monitoring of tap or well water

Pros:

• Very easy to use, beginner-friendly
• Quick results within minutes
• Affordable and reliable for basic home testing
• Good for routine monthly or seasonal water checks

Cons:

• Less comprehensive than lab-based kits

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3. Well Water Test Kit for Drinking Water

This Well Water Test Kit is designed specifically for homeowners who want immediate results without mailing samples to a lab. Made in the USA and aligned with EPA limits, it checks for critical factors like bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, manganese, pH, and more. The testing process is quick and simple, providing clear visual indicators so you can identify issues instantly. Ideal for rural homes and private wells, this kit helps you stay proactive about water safety, especially in areas prone to agricultural runoff or mineral buildup. With no shipping or long waits required, it’s a convenient and accurate way to ensure your well water stays safe year-round.

Key Features:

• Designed specifically for well water systems
• Tests for bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, pH, manganese, and other key contaminants
• No mailing required—results at home
• Made in the USA following EPA guidelines

Pros:

• Tailored for rural households and private wells
• Immediate results without lab wait times
• Good balance of accuracy and convenience
• Helps detect common well water issues quickly

Cons:

• Not as extensive as full lab analyses

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4. The Original Watersafe Premium Drinking Water Test Kit 

The Watersafe Original Water Testing Kit offers dependable, lab-accurate results in just minutes, making it a top choice for households using tap or well water. It features a sensitive lead test, bacteria checks, hardness levels, pH balance, nitrate detection, and more—covering the most common water contaminants. Known for its simplicity, the kit includes clear instructions and easy-to-read results, making it perfect for first-time users. Whether you’re concerned about aging pipes, well contamination, or general water maintenance, Watersafe helps you catch problems early. Its fast performance and trusted accuracy make it a staple for routine home testing and long-term water safety monitoring.

Key Features:

• Tests for lead, bacteria, hardness, pH, nitrates, and more
• Known for sensitive lead detection
• Easy instructions with quick visual indicators
• Designed for both well and municipal water sources

Pros:

• Great for detecting lead contamination
• Clear instructions ideal for beginners
• Affordable and widely trusted
• Provides fast results without mailing

Cons:

• Not as wide-ranging as premium kits

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5. Professional Water Test by SimpleWater Labs

The Advanced Home Water Test Kit provides professional-grade results through EPA-certified laboratory testing, offering a detailed analysis of 116 analytes including lead, copper, hardness, alkalinity, and chemical contaminants. Praised as the #1 Best Home Water Test by Wirecutter, this kit delivers precise, highly reliable data ideal for both city and well water users. The process is straightforward: collect your sample, send it to the lab, and receive an in-depth, easy-to-interpret report. It’s an excellent choice for homeowners wanting comprehensive insight into water quality for health, appliance longevity, or property assessments. If you need deep testing beyond basic strips, this lab-based kit outperforms most at-home solutions.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive testing of 116 analytes
• Lab processed by EPA-certified facilities
• Suitable for both city water and private wells
• Awarded #1 Best Home Water Test by Wirecutter

Pros:

• Highly accurate, professional-grade results
• Offers one of the most detailed reports in the category
• Detects a wide spectrum of contaminants, including metals, minerals, and VOCs
• Trusted by inspectors, homeowners, and water specialists

Cons:

• Requires mailing samples and waiting for results

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6. Smart Test 6-Way Swimming Pool and Spa Water Chemistry Test Strips

The Poolmaster 22212 Smart Test 6-Way kit is an excellent pick for pool and spa owners who want fast, dependable water readings. These strips measure essential parameters like chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and hardness with impressive consistency, making weekly maintenance easier and more accurate. The color chart is clear and beginner-friendly, ensuring you won’t struggle interpreting results. With 50 strips included, it delivers strong value for seasonal or year-round testing. If you want a simple, accurate, and budget-friendly pool water test solution, this kit performs reliably.

Key Features:

• Tests chlorine, bromine, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, and cyanuric acid
• Fast dip-and-read method
• Color-coded chart for easy interpretation
• Suitable for pools and spas
• Includes 50 high-quality strips

Pros:

• Highly beginner-friendly
• Provides a broad look at essential pool chemistry parameters
• Accurate instant readings
• Affordable and long-lasting supply

Cons:

• Not designed for drinking water testing

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7. AquaChek Salt Test Strip Titrators for Pools

The AquaChek Salt Test Strip Titrators are engineered specifically for saltwater pool owners who want precise sodium chloride measurements without complicated equipment. These titrator-style strips offer highly accurate results within minutes, making them ideal for maintaining your salt chlorinator’s performance. Though the pack includes only 10 strips, each delivers laboratory-level precision, which justifies the cost for pool professionals and homeowners alike. The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and ensure consistent readings. If you rely on saltwater sanitation, this is one of the most dependable tools on the market.

Key Features:

• Measures salt levels (sodium chloride) in saltwater pools
• Built-in titrator strips ensure precise levels
• Quick results in minutes
• Professional-grade accuracy
• Includes 10 ready-to-use strips

Pros:

• Excellent accuracy for saltwater pool maintenance
• Simplifies monitoring of salt generator systems
• Easy step-by-step titration method
• Ideal for both homeowners and technicians

Cons:

• Only tests salt levels—no multi-parameter use

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8. JNW Direct Water Hardness Test Strips

The JNW Direct Water Hardness Test Kit offers excellent value with 150 high-accuracy strips ideal for homeowners, renters, and RV users. It provides quick insights into calcium and magnesium levels, helping diagnose scaling, appliance inefficiency, or water softener issues. The kit includes a helpful eBook that explains hardness levels and solutions, making it beginner-friendly while still suitable for professionals. Results appear in seconds, and the color chart is easy to read. With generous strip quantity and reliable performance, it’s a top choice for monitoring hard water problems.

Key Features:

• Tests calcium and magnesium hardness levels
• Comes with 150 strips for frequent testing
• Instant results with easy comparison chart
• Includes a helpful digital eBook
• Works for drinking water, aquariums, pools, and appliances

Pros:

• Great value with a large quantity of strips
• Extremely easy to use—perfect for beginners
• Helps diagnose appliance scale buildup
• Fast results within seconds

Cons:

• Only measures hardness—not a full water quality profile

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9. Premium Water Hardness Test Kit

The Varify Water Hardness Test Kit is a versatile, all-purpose solution for checking hardness in drinking water, wells, pools, spas, and household appliances. With a broad testing range of 0–425 ppm, it provides detailed results suitable for diagnosing both mild and severe hardness issues. Users appreciate its fast color-changing strips and dependable consistency. The pack includes 150 strips, giving excellent value for long-term monitoring. Whether you’re troubleshooting a water softener or protecting your plumbing, Varify delivers accurate, easy-to-use hardness testing at a great price point.

Key Features:

• Measures overall water hardness up to 425 ppm
• Suitable for home, well, pool, spa, and dishwashers
• Includes 150 high-accuracy strips
• Helps identify calcium and magnesium levels
• Fast dip-and-compare testing

Pros:

• A wide hardness range makes the results more precise
• Works with many water sources and appliances
• User-friendly instructions
• Good for optimizing water softener settings

Cons:

• Hardness-only testing
• Strips must be stored properly to maintain accuracy

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10. 10-in-1 Drinking Water Test Kit by Baldwin Meadows

The Baldwin Meadows 10-in-1 Test Kit is a comprehensive solution for homeowners wanting deeper insight into their drinking water quality. This upgraded version boosts sensitivity for contaminants like lead, fluoride, iron, and copper, giving peace of mind for families on well or municipal water. The strips provide quick color-coded results across 10 essential parameters, helping identify potential health or plumbing concerns. With 100 strips per pack, it’s ideal for routine monitoring. Clear instructions and accurate readings make this kit an excellent choice for safeguarding home water safety.

Key Features:

• Tests 10 key parameters, including lead, fluoride, copper, iron & more
• Improved sensitivity for low-level detection
• Great for well and tap water testing
• Comes with 100 long-lasting strips
• Comprehensive guide included

Pros:

• Offers a wide range of drinking water safety insights
• Detects harmful contaminants with higher precision
• Easy-to-read results
• Suitable for homeowners, renters, and well owners

Cons:

• Not as accurate as lab-grade analysis

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Conclusion

Is rainwater it safe to drink? If you are concerned about your health, this is an issue worth considering. It is best to keep your treated drinking water separate from any rainfall you collect. Put each in its own collection container. The greatest technique to make sure you monitor your water is in this way.

Make sure to frequently test your water and system to determine their condition. Proper separation is needed in households that use rainwater as a supplement. No safe drinking water should be permitted to enter pipes or other containers due to rainwater.

By restricting the use of rainwater, the likelihood of infections can be decreased. You might think about using rainwater for cleaning, bathing, and gardening. Till it has been thoroughly treated, keep rainwater away from the mouth and kitchen. If you reside near a factory, specifically, stay away from brushing with rainwater.

When a person has a compromised immune system, the effects of poor water are significantly harsher. You need to use caution when using water to prevent. Make sure to see your doctor if you experience any symptoms after consuming rainwater.

See also:

• Maslow needs theory
• Keep tent warm cold weather