Best Water Filters for Harvested Rainwater

Harvesting rainwater is becoming increasingly popular as a way to go green and conserve water.

Rainwater harvesting is a sustainable and cost-effective solution for supplementing household or agricultural water needs. While rainwater is naturally soft and free of many dissolved minerals, it can still become contaminated by bacteria, viruses, and debris during collection and storage.

 Common sources of contamination include:

• • Rooftops and gutters with organic matter or bird droppings

  • Runoff from parking lots or animal waste areas

  • Airborne pollutants and urban dust

This means untreated rainwater may contain harmful pathogens such as E. coli, which pose serious health risks if consumed.

Ultraviolet (UV) water treatment systems are one of the most effective ways to disinfect rainwater for safe residential or commercial use. Unlike chemical methods such as chlorine, UV water purifiers provide a chemical-free, low-maintenance, and environmentally friendly solution.

Benefits of UV Water Purification:

• • Destroys up to 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa

  • No taste or odor added to the water

  • Safe for drinking, irrigation, or whole-house use

  • Works seamlessly with rainwater filtration setups

UV treatment systems are commonly installed after pre-filtration stages (such as sediment and carbon filters) in rainwater collection systems to ensure the final output is safe for human consumption.

For treating collected rainwater, we recommend the following two UV systems: Viqua Arros 15-IHS22 and Arros 22-IHS22. These ultraviolet water filtration systems are regarded as some of the best water filter systems available for treating collected rainwater because they incorporate sediment and carbon filtration, in addition to UV water treatment.

The Viqua Arros 15-IHS22 is an excellent option for anyone looking for an efficient and reliable water treatment unit to filter harvested rainwater.

This system is designed to treat the water with UV light, and also includes two stages of prefiltration. The Viqua Arros 15-IHS22 is able to provide a comprehensive and convenient water treatment solution-a simple plug-and-play system for treating stored water.

• The integrated sediment filter effectively removes fine particulates, such as dirt and debris, ensuring that the water is free from any solid particles that may affect its clarity.

• The carbon filter then removes any organic compounds and contaminants, such as cryptosporidium, giardia, E. coli, legionella, norovirus, and hepatitis A virus †, improving the taste and odor of the water.

• The final stage of filtration involves the use of a UV light. This is a highly effective method of water treatment that is able to provide a high level of protection for household water.

Pros of the Arros 15-IHS22 for Treating Harvested Rainwater

1. Comprehensive filtration: The Viqua Arros 15-IHS22 uses three stages of filtration to effectively remove contaminants from harvested rainwater, including sediment, organics.

2. Compact design: The Viqua Arros 15-IHS22 is designed to be compact and space-saving, making it a good option for those with limited space.

3. Easy to use: This system is designed to be simple to install and use, making it a convenient solution for treating stored water.

4. UV treatment: The use of UV light in the final stage of filtration is highly effective way to treat potential microbes in the water.

Cons of the Arros 15-IHS22 for Treating Harvested Rainwater

1. Cost: The Viqua Arros 15-IHS22 is not the most affordable water filtration system on the market, and its initial cost may be a barrier for some users.

2. Limited filtration capacity: This system is designed to treat a maximum flow rate of 12 gallons per minute, which may not be sufficient for larger households or commercial applications.

3. Regular maintenance: Like any water filtration system, the Viqua Arros 15-IHS22 requires regular maintenance, including the replacement of filters and UV lamps.

In summary, the Viqua Arros 15-IHS22 is an excellent water filtration system that is highly effective in filtering water collected from rainwater harvesting. With its three stages of filtration which include sediment removal, carbon filtration, and UV treatment, it is able to provide comprehensive water filtration thus ensuring the collected water is ready for use. Viqua Arros 15-IHS22 is compact and conveniently designed for simple installation, making it an ideal solution for anyone looking for an efficient and reliable water filtration system.

The Viqua Arros 22-IHS22 also provides comprehensive filtration of harvested rainwater. The system combines sediment filtration, carbon filtration, and UV disinfection, ensuring thorough treatment of collected rainwater.

Pros of the Arros 22-IHS22:

1. Effective Filtration: The VIQUA Arros 22-IHS22 offers reliable filtration, removing sediment, debris, and inactivating microorganisms, such as cryptosporidium, giardia, E. coli, legionella, norovirus, and hepatitis A virus †, from harvested rainwater.

2. UV Treatment: It utilizes powerful UV technology to inactivate microorganisms, ensuring water is ready for consumption.

3. Easy Installation: The system is designed for simple installation, making it convenient for homeowners or small-scale rainwater harvesting systems.

4. Low Maintenance: With long-lasting UV lamps and an easy-to-replace filter cartridge, the system requires minimal upkeep, reducing hassle and cost.

Cons of the Arros 22-IHS22:

1. Power Dependency: The UV treatment process requires electricity, making the system reliant on a consistent power supply.

2. Limited Filtration Capacity: The Arros 22-IHS22 is a 22 gallon per minute system, which could be a drawback for larger rainwater harvesting applications.

3. Initial Cost: The system's upfront cost may be higher compared to traditional filtration methods, which could be a deterrent for budget-conscious users.

4. Ineffectiveness against Chemical Contaminants: While UV treatment effectively inactivates microorganisms, it may not remove chemical contaminants from the harvested rainwater. Additional filtration methods may be necessary for comprehensive purification.

The Viqua Arros 15-IHS22 and Arros 22-IHS22 are both water filtration systems that work well in treating harvested rainwater. Both are equipped with sediment filters to remove sand/dirt, and carbon filtration to improve the taste and odor of water. They also both require a standard electrical outlet.

Here are some of the key differences between the two systems:

1. Filtration Capacity: The Arros 15-IHS22 is designed to treat a maximum flow rate of 12 gallons per minute, while the Arros 22-IHS22 can treat a maximum flow rate of 22 gallons per minute. This makes the Arros 22-IHS22 a better option for larger homes or small commercial applications.

2. Interactive LCD Display: The Arros 22-IHS22 features an advanced LCD display that simultaneously shows UV intensity status, lamp life remaining, support contact information, etc. The Arros 15-IHS22 Features a countdown timer with a digital display and audible lamp change reminder for ease of maintenance.

3. Inlet/Outlet Size: The Arros 15-IHS22 has a 3/4" FPT inlet and 3/4" MPT outlet. The Arros 22-IHS22 has 1" FPT inlet and 1" MPT outlet

4. Price: The Arros 22-IHS22 is generally more expensive than the Arros 15-IHS22 due to its larger filtration capacity and advanced control panel.

Overall, the Arros 22-IHS22 is a more advanced and higher-capacity system compared to the Arros 15-IHS22. However, it comes with a higher price tag and may require additional electrical work during installation. The choice between the two systems will depend on the specific needs and budget of the user.