RODI- can I drink from the barrel if my pipes freeze?

[SallyWho]

I'm in part of the country experiencing subzero temps that doesn't usually deal with weather like this. Water mains are bursting around town, and I've had my faucets dribbling 24/7 for days. I was just thinking about having drinking water handy in case my number comes up and my pipes freeze or a nearby water main breaks. I've filled some jugs from the dribbling sinks, but I also conveniently have 40 gallons of RODI water in my barrel. I know it's not safe to drink as is, but is there anything i could add to it to make it safe for drinking? I've got plans in place for my tank if I lose power, but I'm not quite as prepared for losing water service.

 

[Jeepguy242]

Why is rodi water not safe to drink.

 

[Gtinnel]

I realize you're not supposed to drink rodi water, but many years ago I drank it all the time before I found out it was a bad idea. In an emergency I would drink it and not think anything of it.

 

[Gtinnel]

Why is rodi water not safe to drink.

It can strip your body of minerals and nutrients. It is generally recommended not to drink rodi water.

 

[Marten]

If I had to drink RO/DI water, I would add some powdered Gatorade or something similar to remineralize it.

 

[PicassoClown04]

Lol don’t worry about it, we only drink RODI water in my house (long story). I’ve been drinking only RODI for 8 years and I’m suffering no ill effects from it at all. Drink up!

 

[Hasted]

A bit off topic, but if you have a bathtub you can fill it with water to use for various things.

 

[mehaffydr]

It will not do you any harm to drink it in an emergency. The concerns about stripping you of minerals takes a long time. I would not do it for extended periods like months but a few days or even a week is not an issue.

 

[mdb_talon]

No harm at all. Even the concerns about drinking it longterm are more about theory and rare circumstances where water is a key source of minerals in a diet(generally not the case in most of the world)

 

[X-37B]

I would rather drink chemicaly treated city water loaded with chlorine, chloromines, flouride, and on and on.
I too have been drinking it for years.
Their are alot of theories but none that have proven its bad for you.

 

[Gtinnel]

I drank it for about a year or so and never noticed any ill effects. Also, it is supposedly ok to drink the water after the RO stage but before the DI, which I never understood because I am often getting 0tds after the membrane too.

 

[SallyWho]

If I had to drink RO/DI water, I would add some powdered Gatorade or something similar to remineralize it.

I do have some electrolyte tablets that I bought for triathlon training! So long as I don't mind my drinking water tasting like strawberry lemonade....

A bit off topic, but if you have a bathtub you can fill it with water to use for various things.

Boy howdy, I'd have to clean the crap out of my bathtub! It's where I bathe the dog and drain the tank during water changes! LOL

 

[SallyWho]

Thanks for all the replies! I feel a lot better now, knowing I have 40g of good water ready just in case.