During the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus) some residents have contacted Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities (SLCDPU) asking if the rain barrels we sell for rain water conservation are safe for drinking water storage. SLCDPU, along with manufacturer Great American Rain Barrel Company, advise people to follow the manufacturer’s directions and to store rain water for landscape use only. The barrels are not sealed, nor are they sanitized. They were not intended to store culinary water. Let us also emphasize that SLCDPU drinking water is safe from the tap. Our water supply is treated to meet or exceed all federal and state safe drinking water standards.