Surface water

Rainwater

Written by the VitaWhat editorial team · Medically reviewed by Steve Davis · Last reviewed 19 July 2026 · Editorial policy

Naturally distilled water that falls as rain, but collects contaminants.

Where it comes from

Precipitation collected from roofs or open catchments.

What it contains

  • Very low in minerals (naturally soft)
  • Picks up air pollution, roof debris, bird droppings and bacteria on the way down

Benefits

  • Useful (once treated) for gardens and, if properly filtered, some household uses

Cautions

  • Not safe to drink untreated
  • May contain pollutants, microbes and, from some roofs, metals

Sources & references

  1. WHO — Drinking-water
  2. UK Drinking Water Inspectorate

Related entries

River waterAlkaline waterArtesian waterDeionised waterDistilled waterFiltered water
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