It is often alleged that the roofing material may introduce some contaminants into the collected water after a prolonged use. Such communities using this facility may not have the resources to periodically change the roof and this can be a challenge.
It appears difficult to recommend a single type of roofing material best suited for water harvesting. Rain water quality starts to deteriorate as soon as it falls on most roofing materials. Nevertheless, some roofing materials may be better suited relative to others in reducing contamination. Here is a link that may be useful: http://www.thecenterforrainwaterharvesting.org/2_roof_gutters2.htm.
Perhaps, a solution to quality problems encountered in rainwater harvesting might be found at the interface of art and science as shown here: https://www.google.com/webhp?source=search_app&gws_rd=ssl#q=warkawater
I have been involved with installation of household and community based rainwater harvesting systems in coastal areas of Bangladesh till 2013. I came to know that the catchments with tin-sheds coated by coal-tar are very harmful as it results in making the rainwater poisonous. Adverse effects can also occur from using leaded catchments. On the other hand, Baked-on enamel, galvanized, and galvalume steel roofs all work with water harvesting systems.
http://rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/catchment-area/
http://www.harvestingrainwater.com/rainwater-harvesting-inforesources/suppliers/roof-catchment-and-cistern-system-materials-and-supplier/
Thatched roofs are not suitable as it add organic materials to the collected water and therefore deteriorate physical and chemical quality of water.
In our study, the results obtained through the research on the roofing materials demonstrated that organic coated metal roofing appear to be the most advantageous roofs for the collection of RHSR in the given area of our city - Kosice. Qualitative parameters of RHSR from ceramic roofings comply with the requirements on drinking water.
We speak about it in the 40th congress of IAHS, Madeira.
Any roofing material which does not dissolve / mix with rain water while collecting is suitable, the collected water should comply with quality standardized by WHO or various agencies.
In our study we found clean RCC roof to be most suitable for collecting rain water. The chemical quality of rain water met all International standards, however, chances of E coli bacteria development was found at some places, which was removed by storing water in copper vessel for 8 to 12 hrs before using for drinking purposes.
organic roofs or those that accumulate organic matter over time have lower water quality
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