Child drank from water butt...

[CarrieBlu]

As the title states, my 3yo decided that drinking from the water butt was a great idea this morning, but how concerned should I be? Don’t know how much she had, definitely a good slug of it at least, before I stopped her.

[CarrieBlu]

Hopeful bump. Anyone else’s child a disgusting monster who drinks dirty water...? Or do I need to call NHS direct..

[CabbageHippy]

I would call NHS direct - there's all sorts of parasites & midges in stagnant water

[Very]

I'm totally taken aback... had never ever thought there was anything wrong with the water from a water butt .

Granted, I grew up on a farm (so less concern about pollution settling on the roof and washing into the tank), but we always drank from it if we felt like it - it's lovely pure rainwater!

[AppleKatie]

Give her lots to drink to flush herself out. Watch for tummy bugs.

Deal with one if it happens.

She’ll almost certainly be absolutely fine unless has a weakened immune system for some reason then I’d seek medical advice.

Finally.

Relax.

[sackrifice]

but we always drank from it if we felt like it - it's lovely pure rainwater!

It depends on how long it's been there.

[purplelass]

I used to do this as a child!
Keep an eye on her and if she is I'll you'll at least have a clue what may have caused it but she'll probably absolutely fine, I always was!

[beachyhead]

We used to 'fish' for the little wriggly worms in ours

[Very]

Although ours were open-topped (big old oak barrels) and you would scoop a mouthful of water from the top, where you could see and smell that it was fresh. I suppose it's a bit different if it's a closed plastic tank. But it should still be just plain rainwater! Nothing wrong with that

[fizzicles]

My toddler's done it more than once. I wouldn't ring 111 personally. It might give them a poorly tummy, but I don't imagine there's much you can do about that now.

[CarrieBlu]

Thanks everyone. I’m probably overthinking it and will just have to play the waiting game to see if she gets poorly from it. I’m just really struggling with the DC today and they seem to be doing everything possible to make me want to cry/scream.

[SecretWitch]

My daughter licked up water from a puddle in our front garden as she was being a cat. I thought I might faint. She was fine. Not even a dodgy tummy.

[Aquilla]

But doesn't it come off the roof of the shed or whatever (bird poo etc)?
She might have a poorly tummy but I wouldn't worry too much.

[CarrieBlu]

Yes that’s where my concerns lie - the water comes off the roof of the house. Also the water butt hasn’t been emptied for a while so god knows how long it’s been in there, or what’s in it. Bloody kids!

[Thisnamechanger]

We used to 'fish' for the little wriggly worms in ours

Are they the mosquito lava things? I'm pretty sure I drank some when I was a kid. I was a wrong'un.

[Nesssie]

All the proper crappy stuff would sink to the bottom of the water butt, and the tap is usually placed a little bit higher so shes unlikely to have swallow anything really scummy.
If shes really unlucky she might get a tummy bug but most likely she will be fine!

[CarrieBlu]

Thanks everyone!