Water Conservation is such a great cause. We’ve always been taught to reuse valuable resources. Nonetheless, drinking water from the dehumidifier can be life-threatening.
In this article, we’ll help you understand how dehumidifiers operate so that you can decide whether you can use the water in the dehumidifier tank for drinking or not.
We also made sure to mention some excellent ideas to reuse this water for purposes other than drinking, so no matter the circumstances, you won’t waste it, not after going through this article anyway!
Quick Answer!
No, although it mostly depends on the area that you live in and the various biological contaminants around you, health care professionals don’t recommend drinking dehumidifier water.
Environmentalists may think it’s as dangerous as drinking tap water, but the truth is, as dangerous as tap water might be, it’s much safer than dehumidifier water because it goes through several filtration processes.
On the other hand, dehumidifier water may contain heavy metals, mold spores, viruses, bacteria, and other potential contaminants resulting from the dehumidification process.
That said, if your dehumidifier supports a water purification process, you can use it as a water supply whenever needed.
Is Dehumidifier Water Safe to Drink?
Drinking dehumidifier water is as safe as drinking water from washing machines. Although it might look like clean water, it falls under the category of gray water, which is water collected from domestic machines, including the dishwasher and the laundry machine.
To understand why it’s best not to drink water from dehumidifiers, you need to be familiar with the water collection procedure that dehumidifiers rely on
Water Condensation
As you may already know, the water produced from your dehumidifier is obtained by the process of condensation. In short, this process converts water vapor into liquid water as it passes through cold metal tubes.
Hazards of Drinking Condensate Water
Your dehumidifying machine is producing unhealthy water; here’s why:
1. Excessive Metal Residues
During condensation, there’s no filtration for minerals from water, not to mention the water runs over metallic surfaces made from copper and aluminum. Such heavy metals are potentially deadly and can cause serious health conditions if they reach toxic levels, including liver failure, heart failure, and brain damage.
2. Growth of Bacteria and Microorganisms
Your humidifier tank is a breeding ground for bacteria because the stagnant condensate water favors biofilms formation and creates an excellent media for bacterial cells to thrive.
One of the commonest infection that is usually associated with drinking dehumidifier water is Legionella; a type of bacteria that grow in fans of air cooling systems.
Moreover, high humidity levels expedite mold growth, so there’s a big chance you’ll be drinking molds. Although incidentally swallowing moldy foods or drinks isn't much of an issue; constant exposure can cause a variety of conditions, the most minor of which is stomach upset.
However, for someone who has a compromised immune system, symptoms can be severe, requiring urgent consultation and potentially ICU admission.
Is Dehumidifier Water Distilled?
Although dehumidifier water is similar to distilled water in many ways, some factors distinguish dehumidification from distillation.
We already explained how dehumidification depends on condensation. Nonetheless, the true distillation process is preceded by boiling water, which in turn removes impurities, minerals, and kills many viruses found in water.
Distilled water is safer to drink, although it’s not recommended to completely rely on it as it lacks essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium.
Can I Reuse Dehumidifier Water?
It’s crystal clear that drinking dehumidifier water is a bad idea. However, there’s a lot that you can do with the condensed water, including:
- Watering inedible plants
- Filling the wiper washing tank or the car’s radiator tank
- Filling the toilet’s reserve tanks for flushing
- Mixing the water with bleach for cleaning purposes
Keep in mind that some dehumidifiers contain water purifiers that can reduce moisture levels, extracting harmful bacteria from the surrounding. These devices are safer to use than separate dehumidifiers.
Regardless, if you’re still struggling with basement dampness or the contamination level is a bit higher than expected, wait for the device to remove the extra moisture and regain balance.
Otherwise, it’s not safe to drink water right from the dehumidifier tank without at least treating it.
Do Dehumidifiers Make You Thirsty?
Dehumidifiers may make you feel dehydrated because they absorb moisture from the air. Most users feel thirsty when they wake up in the morning, especially if they leave the dehumidifier running through the night.
Is It Safe to Let Dogs Drink Dehumidifier Water?
No, dehumidified water is as threatening to pets as for humans. If you want your dog to stay healthy, make sure they drink water from the cleanest water source possible.
Final Thoughts
The water produced by the dehumidifying machine isn’t suitable for drinking. Although we mentioned many popular ideas to reuse the dehumidifier water, it’s always better to get a potable water device.
You can even use water filters if that’s the most convenient option, but whatever you do, you should never, ever drink untreated standing water; that can’t possibly do anyone any good.
