drinking rainwater?

[what..the?]

I have moved into a new build I am renting. I have already had various plumbing problems we have both mains water and recycled/reclaimed rainwater coming into the house, the rain water is supposed the just feed the toilets and washing machine.

But due to other plumbing 'issues', and the fact the two of us living here have been fairly on and off unwell since we ave lived here, A part of me questions if we might have been drinking rainwater or partial rainwater. It is impossible to trace all the pipes through the house.

So is there any way of a) being able the test the water cheaply b) if we were to drink rain water what would expected symptoms be? I have seen on line that it is in fact quite safe to drink rain water, filtered or not, but ideally filtered to remove certain contaminants.

Any help would be gratefully received.

[douglas9401]

You could try putting food colouring into the rainwater holding tank then run the taps to see if coloured water appears.

[Graham-W]

Turn off your cold supply at the stop-tap ( usually under the kitchen sink). If you still get water to your cold taps it's likely to be the rainwater.

[what..the?]

ahhhh of course thanks

[gingejbee]

If you are still concerned, contact your water company by phone ( customer complaints) and ask them to investigate "quality concerns". They have an obligation to check your incoming supply- they will send an "inspector" to take samples; worth doing to put your mind at ease (there will be no charge for this).

[what..the?]

thanks so much

[bushbaby_de]

If it is a new build there will be a Building Regs compliance certificate somwhere, so you could ask whoever checked it to confirm the plumbing is all as it should be - it would be an offence to channel untreated rainwater to your taps.

[what..the?]

thanks