Rainwater collection from tarps- Safe or not?

[Ditch Monkey]

I suppose it all depends on what you have near you , I would have no problem drinking rain water , unless I had a tap with in easy walking distance , If I had a fire going I would boil it , If I didn't I would probably just drink it if I was thirsty enough , but then I am not the safest person around

I have a similar approach, been ill quite a few times.

 

[John Fenna]

Yea Gods - have you seen what is in the water that comes out of your taps?
I think that tarp water was to be a safer bet - even a tarp pitched under Yews next to a power station and lead works!
John

 

[Ditch Monkey]

Yea Gods - have you seen what is in the water that comes out of your taps?
I think that tarp water was to be a safer bet - even a tarp pitched under Yews next to a power station and lead works!
John

The trick, inasmuch as there is one, is to leave the tarp out in the rain to wash off for a while until the water runs clean, or to let the gunk settle and try not to think about it too much.

 

[w00dsmoke]

If anyone remmbers reading wilderness cabin living books...you'll remember that rain water and snow water needs to be oxygenated before drinking as it tastes very flat...apparently you are supposed to stir it up a bit or something before drinking to make it taste better?