I've got two 50-gallon rain barrels connected to my roof gutter, and they feed into a timed drip system for my vegetable and fruit garden. It's been working really well for a few years. Recently, another gardener mentioned that I shouldn't use rainwater from roofs for edible plants due to potential microplastic runoff from shingles. My shingles are asphalt, and I'm unsure if I need to invest in a better filtration system than the mesh that currently just catches large debris before it goes into the barrels. Does anyone have experience or advice on this? I've done some research, but it's been a bit overwhelming. I don't need the water to be potable, but I want to ensure it's safe for watering my plants. Thanks!
2 Answers
There's a lot of misinformation out there! Stick to reputable sources when researching. Asphalt shingles are made from petroleum, but they aren't the same as plastics. Your main concerns should be heavy metals and possible fecal contamination, but a study I found suggests these aren't major issues with rainwater. Here's a link to the study that might ease your worries: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1218/
Honestly, that gardener probably didn't think it through. If your system has been working fine, why change it? Remember, plants grow in dirt with all sorts of wildlife and organic matter around. Just wash your veggies before eating, and you should be good!