Why can’t you drink rainfall?
Living as I do in the rural western U.S., I was initially astonished at your question. For people going "off-grid" in my region, collecting rainwater in cisterns, for household use and not just gardening, can be a viable choice, and I know plenty of people who do it. So, I'll have to answer your …
The Short Answer
Living as I do in the rural western U.S., I was initially astonished at your question. For people going "off-grid" in my region, collecting rainwater in cisterns, for household use and not just gardening, can be a viable choice, and I know plenty of people who do it. So, I'll have to answer your question with two others. "Says who?" and "Where are you?" Those questions being asked, I'd be inclined to say that rainwater *is* safe to drink, as long as 1) you aren't living downwind from horrible sources of atmospheric pollution, and 2) you take reasonable steps to ensure the water isn't being made dirty by whatever you are collecting it with.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Living, question, people
This explanation focuses on living, question, people and spans 113 words across 4 sentences. At 59% above the average Nature explanation (71 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “Living as I do in the rural western U.S., I was initially astonished at your question.” It then elaboratesultimately building toward a complete picture across 4 connected points.
How This Compares in Nature
Ranked #83 of 500 Nature questions by answer depth (top 17%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why you drink rainfall?
Living as I do in the rural western U.S., I was initially astonished at your question. For people going "off-grid" in my region, collecting rainwater in cisterns, for household use and not just gardening, can be a viable choice, and I know plenty of…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Nature questions?
This is one of the most thorough answer at 113 words, ranked #83 of 500 Nature questions by depth. The key concepts covered are living, question, people.
What approach does this answer take to explain you drink rainfall?
The explanation uses root cause analysis across 113 words. It is categorized under Nature and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.