Wetbacks

[zqwerty]

Our house is 60 years old, all the pipes are rusted internally, some almost closed off where they exit from the header tank to the hot water cylinder, for instance.

The pipes are definitely not copper.

Ever changed an element on a hot water cylinder and seen the build-up on the element, the sediment at the bottom of the tank?

Not sure what heavy metals are involved but I still say, you drink the water out of a hot water tank, hot or cold, at your own peril.

[pctek]

Ever changed an element on a hot water cylinder and seen the build-up on the element.

It's not metals.....its lime and minerals, like your kettle can get.

[R2x1]

And the sediment at the bottom of the tank in many areas is largely clay, which in it's turn is largely aluminium which is not noted for being in the heavy brigade.

[zqwerty]

Besides any other considerations, tea or coffee made from water from the hot water cylinder which is then heated further in a kettle tastes horrible.

[prefect]

And the sediment at the bottom of the tank in many areas is largely clay, which in it's turn is largely aluminium which is not noted for being in the heavy brigade.

Have I struck it rich then I have heaps of clay, watch out ALCOA.