Is the Rain-water potable?

At the instant of formation, Rain-water is very pure because it has it’s origin in a massive solar distillation process.

However, purity of water deteriorated rapidly as the falling rain or snow accumulates dissolved chemicals and particulates from the atmosphere.

Many impurities enter the air through natural phenomena, but others originate in industrial operations, automobile exhausts, smoke and gases from home heating systems, dust from developed land areas and many other sources.

Example of particulates picked up by precipitation include

• Ash from volcanic eruptions
• Fires
• Power generation
• Other industrial operations
• Dust swept into the atmosphere by wind action
• Aerosols produced in ocean surf
• Manufacturing process
• Waste water treatment plants

Dissolved gases in rain water include:

• Some of each gas present in the atmosphere
• Oxygen
• Nitrogen
• Carbon dioxide
• Sulfur dioxide
• Nitrogen oxides

Composition of fossil fuels has resulted in sharp increases in amounts of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide released to atmosphere in many areas.

Chemical concentration in precipitation typicall is low when compared with streams and ground water.

In some instances, the concentrations of chemicals in rain may be high such as mercury and phosphorus, even when compared with unacceptable levels of pollution control activities.

Finally we can say precipitation can contribute significant amounts of chemicals to our water resources.


From Rain-water to water education


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