Are rain barrels illegal?
[Spoiler alert!...] No. Rain barrels are not illegal. In fact many jurisdictions incentivize rain barrels and cisterns because harvesting rainwater is so very beneficial for the local water supply and for the greater environment. So what gives? Why do rumors run rampant that it's illegal to collect the water that falls on your own roof?
Is it illegal to collect rainwater?
That’s because, weirdly, collecting rainwater is actually illegal in some states. Exactly how much rainwater you’re allowed to collect and use varies across the U.S.—for example, under a Colorado law passed in 2016, homeowners are now allowed to catch and use two rain barrels (a total of 110 gallons) from their rooftops, but no more.
How many rain barrels can I catch?
Residential homeowners can catch up to two rain barrels of water (approximately 110 gallons). However, the water should only be used for outdoor non-potable purposes on the property where it was collected, such as lawn irrigation and gardening.
What are the laws for rainwater harvesting in your state?
Most states have shifted their laws in favor of private rainwater harvesting. Colorado, the state with arguably the strictest rainwater harvesting laws, passed a bill in 2016 allowing for the collection of rainwater with a 110-gallon maximum capacity.
How many gallons of rain can you use in a rain barrel?
According to House Bill 16-1005, residents are allowed to collect rainwater in two rain barrels with a combined capacity of 110 gallons. The collected water can only be used on the property where it was collected and for outdoor purposes.
Which states allow rainwater?
Most states allow citizens to collect rainwater and even encourage them to do so. Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia encourage residents to collect rainwater by offering a tax credit or exemption for equipment purchased for rainwater harvesting. Some states currently have restrictions on the amount of rainwater that can be collected ...
What is rainwater harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting is the accumulation and storage of rainwater, rather than allowing it to run off, to reuse it for on-site purposes. Simply installing a system in one's home makes it easy to utilize Earth's hydrological cycle. Allowing people to collect rainwater on their own properties reduces the demand from water facilities and improves conservation efforts. Rainwater harvesting is common in homesteading.
How much rainwater can you store in a container?
A registered person may store no more than 2,500 gallons of rainwater, and an unregistered person may use no more than two containers at 100 gallons or less per container.
What is the Virginia Code for Rainwater?
Virginia Code §32.1-248.2 states that The Department of the state, in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Quality, shall promote the use of rainwater to help reduce freshwater consumption, promote conservation and reduce demand on water supply systems.
Is rainwater harvesting legal?
Rainwater harvesting is legal, with two laws regulating it. House Bill 609 states that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will provide statewide assistance and ensure the best water reuse and rainwater harvesting practices. Senate Bill 163 recognizes the benefit of harvesting rainwater for the state's future water supply.
Can you harvest rainwater in Arkansas?
Rainwater harvesting is allowed with some minor restrictions. The Arkansas Code Annotated Rainwater § 17-38-201 states that harvested rainwater can be used for non-potable purposes if the harvesting system is designed by a professional engineer licensed in Arkansas, is designed with appropriate cross-connection safeguards, and complies with Arkansas Plumbing Code.
Is it illegal to use rain barrels?
No. Rain barrels are not illegal. In fact many jurisdictions incentivize rain barrels and cisterns because harvesting rainwater is so very beneficial for the local water supply and for the greater environment.
Can you harvest rainwater without a permit?
Untrained code inspectors may not know what to do with rainwater harvesting in absence of a code reference, so they may resist a permit when there's actually no law on the books to prohibit it. The good news is more and more states are adopting code with simple standards for non-permitted rainwater catchment systems.
Is rainwater harvesting illegal in Colorado?
Rainwater harvesting wasn't outlawed in name, but due to interpretations of a complicated and antiquated set of laws governing the Colorado River known as the prior appropriations doctrine, water falling in Colorado was determined, by law, to already be owned by downstream users.
Is it illegal to harvest rainwater?
If you do believe rainwater harvesting may be illegal where you live, take a moment to check your facts. Search your town, county, and state for laws. An easier approach may be to search for rebates and incentives. If you find your county or water agency is incentivizing rainwater harvesting, then you can be darned sure it isn't illegal.
Why was the rainwater guy arrested?
The reason for his arrest was because of "diverting water.". Laws against diverting water exist for the protection of the environment. So now you know why it is illegal to collect rainwater in certain states. Knowledge is power, and will hopefully keep you out of trouble.
How much rainwater can you use on your roof?
Exactly how much rainwater you're allowed to collect and use varies across the U.S.—for example, under a Colorado law passed in 2016, homeowners are now allowed to catch and use two rain barrels (a total of 110 gallons ) from their rooftops, but no more.
Who was the guy who collected rainwater in Oregon?
At least this is how the story goes. In 2012, this issue of illegal rainwater collection caught renewed public attention when a 64-year-old named Gary Harrington was sentenced to 30 days in jail after illegally collecting rainwater on his own property in Oregon.
Do umbrellas and raincoats exist?
That's why umbrellas and raincoats exist, and why most folks take extensive measures to stay inside when it's coming down outside. However, if you, for whatever reason, wanted to not only experience the rain but keep some for yourself, you might find yourself on the wrong side of the law.
How many rain barrels can you use in Colorado?
Colorado. Residential homeowners can catch up to two rain barrels of water (approximately 110 gallons). However, the water should only be used for outdoor non-potable purposes on the property where it was collected, such as lawn irrigation and gardening.
Why is Colorado so strict about harvesting water?
For awhile, Colorado had strict harvesting regulations due to the senior water rights. But after a study determined that only three percent of rain reached a stream or groundwater, Colorado decided to revise its legislation.
How much water did Oregon collect in 2012?
But for some, collecting rainwater has even landed them in the slammer. Back in 2012, one man in Oregon collected 13 million gallons of water and created three reservoirs on his property from rainwater harvesting. That’s right, man-made bodies of water created from his collecting. While most states permit rainwater harvesting and even encourage it, ...
What does it mean when water is collected for non-potable purposes?
For example, if the water can be collected for “non-potable” purposes, it means the water is not suitable for drinking but can be used for other things. Potable means it’s safe for drinking, cooking and bathing. So you may want to double-check the regulations in your state, if any.
Is it legal to harvest rainwater in Louisiana?
Don’t worry, rainwater harvesting is legal. Just be careful that the rain barrel (also known as a cistern) has a suitable cover. Louisiana law forbids selling polluted water, which also includes ice.
Who must give written notice to the municipality of a water system?
If someone plans to connect a rainwater harvesting system to a public water supply system, they must give written notice to the municipality or the owner of that public water supply system. If there are health effects regarding that water, the municipality or the owner cannot be held liable for the consumption of that water.
Is it legal to catch rain water in Ohio?
It’s fine to catch rainwater in Ohio, even for potable purposes. However, to provide drinking water for less than twenty-five people the system needs to be regulated by the Ohio Department of Health.
How many barrels of rainwater can you use in Colorado?
In May 2015, Colorado legislators introduced a bill to make a symbolic stand against the doctrine of prior appropriation by allowing residents to use two 55-gallon rain barrels to collect rainwater for household use. The bill failed to pass the state senate.
Why is the rain barrel called the bong of the garden?
In a column for the Colorado Springs Gazette, Dave Philipps called the rain barrel “the bong of the Colorado garden,” because it’s legal to sell, legal to own, but, “it’s just not legal to use for its intended purpose.”. The fight in Colorado is a microcosm of the wider discussion about water rights and issues of conservation.
How many rain harvesting systems are there in Britain?
More than 100,000 advanced rain harvesting systems have been installed in Britain. Germany has given out generous subsidies leading to more than 1.5 million systems being installed in homes and businesses across the country.
How much is the fine for diverting water?
Those caught illegally diverting water can be subject to a $500-a-day fine until they cease their activities.
Can you reuse rainwater?
Homeowners can install fairly simple systems that allow them to collect and reuse rainwater for everything from flushing the toilet to washing clothes. Rain barrels also take pressure off overtaxed city water systems, which has led some states, like Texas and Ohio, to actively promote the increased use of rain barrels.
Can you buy a rain barrel in Colorado?
You can buy a rain barrel in almost any home-gardening store, but if you live in Colorado, using it will turn you into an outlaw. As climate change accelerates, other states could be looking into restricting who owns the water that falls out of the sky, even onto your roof.
Is it illegal to collect rainwater in Colorado?
But that’s not the case in Colorado, where so-called “rain harvesting” is illegal.
How much rain can you collect in Arizona?
If you have a roof of 1,000 ft 2 that receives 10 inches of rain a year you can collect over 6,000 gallons ...
What is rain water used for?
With minimal or no treatment, rainwater can be used for garden and turf irrigation, dust control, or stock water supply. If you are interested in using the water for in-home purposes, some form of filtration and disinfection may be necessary.
What states have restrictions on rainwater harvesting?
Colorado has traditionally been one of the most restrictive states for rainwater harvesting. Two laws were passed in 2009 which loosened restrictions on rainwater collection, allowing residents to use rainwater for non-potable purposes. In 2016, House Bill 16-1005 was passed, allowing residents to collect rainwater from a catchment system on their rooftops into two rain barrels, with a combined capacity of 110 gallons. The collected rain must be used on the property where it is collected and may only be used for outdoor purposes such as lawn irrigation and gardening.
How much rainwater can you store in Utah?
According to Senate Bill 32 (2010), a person registered with the Division of Water Resources cannot store more than 2,500 gallons of rainwater.
What is the organization that collects rainwater?
Organizations such as the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) work with state governments in making rainwater collection an available option for its citizens. Most states have shifted their laws in favor of private rainwater harvesting.
Does Arkansas allow rainwater harvesting?
The State of Arkansas allows for rainwater harvesting with some minor restrictions. According to Arkansas Code Annotated § 17-38-201 (2014), the State Board of Health “shall allow the use of a harvested rainwater system used for a non-potable purpose if the harvested rainwater system is: (1) designed by a professional engineer licensed in Arkansas; (2) is designed with appropriate cross-connection safeguards; and (3) complies with Arkansas Plumbing Code.”
Is rainwater harvesting legal in Arizona?
Rainwater harvesting is legal in Arizona. Two House Bills, 2363 and 2830, support this. House Bill 2363 establishes a joint legislative study committee on macro-harvested rainwater, allowing for the study and evaluation of scientific data, costs and benefits, and potential impact on water rights. House Bill 2830, through the Department of Water Resources, allows for a city or town to establish a fund for rainwater harvesting systems.
What is the Water for 2060 Act?
Under House Bill 3055, the Water for 2060 Act initiates grants for water conservation projects, to serve as models for other communities in the state. These projects may include community conservation demonstration projects, recycling and reuse of water, and information campaigns on capturing harvested rainwater.
Does Connecticut have rainwater harvesting restrictions?
The State of Connecticut currently does not have any restrictions on rainwater harvesting. In fact, a document released by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental protection encourages its citizens to collect rainwater.
