Greetings RW Harvesters,

Thank youAll for the responses to the story of replacing the copper pipe from our water well to the house with HDPE.
That was the supply line for cold water to the kitchen sink.

Now here’s the other half of the story.
I supplied the hot water heater with only rainwater, and all the clothes, showers, and dishes were nice and clean.

I sampled the hot water at the kitchen sink and sent it off to the lab, and it came back 1.260mg/L of copper contamination.
Now this is just below the safe EPA Primary Drinking Water Standards of 1.3 mg/L

This high level is after running the rainwater through only 60 feet of copper pipe!
As a comparison, rainwater dissolves as much copper in one foot of copper pipe, as well water dissolves running through 96 feet of copper pipe.

The writing is clearly on the wall.  Now that we have PEX, HDPE, and stainless steel, never use copper pipe.
In addition to this contamination, copper pipe develops pin holes for a number of different reasons….. but that’s another story.

Here are some references:

https://permaculturenews.org/forums/index.php?threads/acidic-rainwater-and-copper-poisoning.5542/
https://www.cleanwaterstore.com/resource/how-to-guides/how-to-treat-copper-pipe-corrosion/
https://www.nationalpolyindustries.com.au/knowledge-base/plumbing-in-your-rainwater-tank-for-safe-drinking-water/index.html

“Copper Pipes and Rainwater
Your rainwater tank might be correctly installed and plumbed in, but it is also important understand that rainwater is quite acidic and can react with certain metals.
While rainwater is itself safe to consume, if it is left sitting in copper pipes for a long period of time then copper can leach into the water. Copper is a mineral required by our bodies, but it quickly becomes toxic in high does causing brain and liver damage.
Since copper pipes usually distribute water throughout a house, it is recommended that people flush the first 2 to 3 minutes of rainwater each day. You can optionally install filtration at your tap – filtration of 1 micron or less should be sufficient and also removes most bacteria.”

The neighbors and I are scrapping out the copper as quickly as conveniently possible…..   Terry Raines   512-466-4319

Greetings WaterLovers,

In our struggle for Clean Water Freedom,
a freedom from problematic municipal water, or mineral-laden well water,
we direct your attention the excellent design and toughness of the HDPE Enduraplas water tank…
The perfect container for clean healthy water.

https://www.enduraplas.com/products/water-storage-tank/

Enduraplas has a great selection, in sizes from 100 gallons to 10,000 gallons, in the algae-free colors of beige, mist green, dark green, and black.

We stock a variety of rainwater collection tanks, ready for pickup, or delivery to you location.

Please contact me for details and answers to your questions.

Sincerely Yours, Terry Raines     512-466-4319

Greetings RW Harvesters,

The learning curve is steep and uncertain, but once you reach the top it’s all downhill.

In the photo below you see my first tank and its fittings. The galvanized nipple seemed a bit rusty so I thought I would replace it with the recent shipment of stainless steel.

What a surprise when I took the nipple off…. that one on the left.
This once again this confirms how corrosive pure rainwater is. Not because it is acid, but rather hungry for ions. I had another galvanized fitting corrode within 6 months.
The answer is simple. Use either stainless steel, as seen in the center, or polypropylene on the right.

Raines-WH sells the stainless 2″ x 3″ nipple for $5.91 and Triple S Feed sells the polypropylene version for $2.95

In the last photo below you see my latest configuration. All fittings are 2″.
I particularly like the versatility of the cam-loc pair of fittings on the right, allowing quick change of discharge or even filling the tank from a truck.
Notice the SS punch-loc hose clamp.

Please Note:
If this rainwater is to be used for drinking, the PVC ball valve should be replaced with either stainless steel or one made of polypropylene.
Also, the PVC green tubing should be replaced with 2″ EPDM rubber hose.

PVC is the only major plastic that contains chlorine, so it is unique in the hazards it creates.
Vinyl chloride leaches from PVC pipes causing an increased risk of cancer.
https://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/
https://healthybuilding.net/blog/106-usgbc-pvc-is-not-a-healthy-building-material

Any questions or comments? Sincerely, Terry Raines

We are here to help you help yourself!

While you plan your Rainwater Collection System, feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need help!

Also, if you need a good  Online Conversion Tool try this one:
https://www.ginifab.com/feeds/cm_to_inch/

happy collecting,
Raines Water Harvest Team