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Why Air Conditioner Water Is Unsafe to Drink

 
pollinator
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Location: Bendigo , Australia
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"Why AC Water Is Unsafe to Drink
Biological Growth:
The cooling coils and drip pans inside an AC unit are dark and damp, making them ideal breeding grounds for mould, fungus, algae, and harmful bacteria (including Legionella).
Dust and Debris:
The water washes over airborne dust, pollen, pet dander, and microscopic dirt particles collected by the system.
Chemical and Metal Residues:
Internal components may contain heavy metals like lead from solder, or the system might carry chemical residues from cleaning spray"
 
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I won't disagree!

However, we save the water from our dehumidifier and use it for washing our clothing. We have very hard well water, which isn't so good at washing clothing.
 
master pollinator
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I wouldn't drink it either. My dear wife likes it for our houseplants though. While we have rainwater in barrels it carries with it a lot of insect hitchhikers that are troublesome.
 
Steward of piddlers
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I'm always fighting some kind of slime/biological scum in the drain ports of my window air conditioner units when we have to use them. I couldn't imagine trying to rectify it into something potable. I place these units in particular windows so they drip into an existing shade garden to benefit the plants there. The ferns and strawberries are pleased with the additional moisture.
 
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Bees like my A/C water so I am sorry it is unsafe.

I would never consider drinking it unless it was all there was.
 
Douglas Alpenstock
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True, if there was no other option I would give it a good boil and run it through a charcoal filter. Standard measures for sketchy water in a survival situation.
 
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