Is it Illegal to Collect Rainwater? Unraveling the Complexities of Rainwater Harvesting

yogita rathiArnabMoumilife
99 Min Read

You might be thinking about whether it is illegal to collect rainwater. If yes, then why? Here, I will be discussing this topic only. And will be discussing the the basic meaning of rainwater harvesting, its pros and cons, why it is illegal to collect rainwater, and many more topics.

So be here to grab the knowledge about this topic in this article, so before heading towards the deep meaning of rainwater harvesting. Let’s make it short: it means collecting rainwater and using it later when needed from different methods like rooftops, etc.

1. What is Rainwater Harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting or harvesting rainwater is one of the same thing. It is a method of collecting and storing rainwater for later use. This technique was simple and practiced in ancient times. From surfaces like rooftops, and used for various purposes or storing it for later use.

There are numerous rainwater harvesting methods like surface runoff, rooftop rainwater harvesting, etc. This practice of collecting rainwater is not presently regulated by the federal government.

Therefore, rainwater harvesting is a sustainable method that can benefit the environment, individuals, etc.

2. Need for Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater can be used anywhere where we use tap water. Some specific needs for rainwater can be as follows:

  • Most parts of our country have been facing continuous lack of success of monsoon and consequent shortage of rainfall over the last few years.
  • Also, due to the ever-rising population in India, the use of groundwater has been enlarged excessively leading to the constant decline of groundwater levels causing the wells and tubewells to dry up.
  • In some places, high heat waves during summer create a situation close to the drought.
  • It is imperative to take enough measures to meet the drinking water needs of the people in the country besides the needs of irrigation and domestic needs.
  • If we estimate the amount of rainfall in India it is out of 8760 hours in a year it just falls 100 hours.
Is it Illegal to Collect Rainwater
Image by 育银 戚 from Pixabay/Copyright2017

3. Pros and Cons of Rainwater Harvesting 

So here we will be discussing some of the advantages of rainwater harvesting. These are as follows:

3.1 Decreases Water Bills

It helps the individuals to save their water bills. And if rainwater is collected by many people in one community then the supply mains cost and water services lower. Rainwater can be used as a backup water source.

3.2 Decrease the Erosion and Flooding

Around the downspouts and in the gardens it lowers the erosion. This can lower the level of flooding in certain areas. Because of the collection of rainwater, these can control stormwater retention.

3.3 Use for Non-Drinking 

The majority of the water we use is non-drinking water. Everything requires a large amount of water from flushing toilets to bathing and from washing clothes to dishwashing. Rainwater is a great source of water for these activities.

4. Cons of Rainwater Harvesting

Here, we will be discussing some of the disadvantages of rainwater harvesting. As we have seen, everything has some advantages and disadvantages. These are as follows:

4.1 Maintenance Required 

Rainwater harvesting systems need regular maintenance to keep them going smoothly. They can be prone to things like insects, rodents, etc.

4.2 Rainfall Is Unpredictable

As we know, rainfall is unpredictable, as you experience no rainfall or heavy rainfall. This means that you cannot solely rely on rainwater for your requirements.

4.3 Limits Storage

The tanks can hold a large amount of water. But when there is heavy rainfall or storms then catchments are full. The barrels and tanks system are not able to hold the rainwater. When there is extreme rainwater then anyway it ends up in gutters and rivers.

is it illegal collect rainwater
Image by tae_wook you from Pixabay/Copyright2016

5. Is It Illegal to Collect Rainwater? 

This legality of harvesting rainwater depends on the state. Almost every state makes it legal to collect rainwater and practice rainwater harvesting. However, there are some states where collecting rainwater has some regulations or restrictions.

Such as, there is a state named Colorado where a law that is 120 years old tells that harvesting rainwater is illegal because rainwater flows downstream into someone else water supply. In other states like New Hampshire, collecting or harvesting rainwater is completely legal and encouraged.

6. Rainwater Harvesting Regulations

Rainwater Harvesting management is different in different states, and it is necessary to check the local codes and management of your area. This is done to ensure that the complaint is with state government, local laws, and federal state. Management of rainwater harvesting varies from state to state. So let us review at it this:

6.1 Completely Illegal to Collect

It is illegal to harvest rainwater in a state named Colorado. It is only one state where there are complete restrictions against collecting rainwater.

6.2 No Laws and Management

States like South Carolina, California, Alaska, and South Dakota. These states have no laws and management for rainwater harvesting.

6.3 Strengthen Highly

Texas is strengthened highly in rainwater harvesting, besides this tax offer incentives are also offered by some countries. Rainwater harvesting systems also discharge on sales taxes.

Rainwater harvesting with some limitations but is legal in states like North Carolina, New Mexico, and Oregon.

6.5 Managed by Plumbing Codes

Rainwater harvesting systems should meet the plumbing codes in a state like Arkansas and must be designed by an engineer only for non-potable purposes.

6.6 State Management/Motivation

Some states are permitting rainwater harvesting, but the management in place they are allowing, but they have state-specific technical resources that are available to uplift rainwater collection and usage of the rainwater.

6.7 State Management/Enticement

Some states are permitting rainwater harvesting but they have a certain management in the place where they are allowed, as they have state-specific technical resources available to uplift the collection of rainwater and usage of rainwater.

6.8 Technical Resources State-Specific

Resources like instructions on rainwater harvesting a technical state-specific resources that some states have to uplift the rainwater collection and usage of it.

In Georgia, it is legal to harvest rainwater but is steadily managed by the Department of Natural Resources. As mentioned in their plumbing code, it is only legal as long as it is used outside.

is it illegal collect rainwater
Image by Michael Osterloh from Pixabay/Copyright2018

7. Federal Laws for Rainwater Harvesting

The federal government has not managed rainwater harvest presently, but it is hence only managed by individual states. Mostly, every state allows its citizens to collect rainwater and encourages them to do so.

Yet, some states are permitting rainwater harvesting but they have certain management in the place where they are allowed. They have state-specific technical resources and enticement available. We take the example of Texas, as it provides a tax enticement for harvesting rainwater. New Mexico provides financial discounts for rainwater harvesting.

As mentioned by the number of collected gallons. This is done and is important because it checks the local codes and the management of your areas. It also ensures that complaints comply with state, local rules, and federal state.

8. Why Do Some States Restrict to Collect Rainwater

As we know, rainwater harvesting is an ancient and simple approach to collecting rainwater and using it for different purposes like flushing toilets, irrigation, and many more purposes. Yet, not every state has a permit to collect rainwater. Some states in the U.S. still do not allow this practice.

There may be various reasons for the restriction of collecting rainwater but some of the common reasons can be water quality, overuse of probable water resources, etc Here, we will be seeing some of the common regards for limitations of rainwater harvesting.

8.1 Regarding the Collision of Downstream

Limitations in some states are caused by the flow downstream of the water users. It is said that it will surely impact the downstream of the water hole that others depend on if the collection of rainwater is done individually. This is in the state named Colorado, where the theory of prior appropriation is maintained.

8.2 It Is Required for Maintaining Impartial Water Distribution

The limitation on rainwater harvesting is to ensure the distribution of water resources is done impartially. This is in the state of Georgia, where the system of rainwater harvesting is not completely illegal but is managed by the Department of Natural Resources. As mentioned in the plumbing code it is only legal for a long time when it is used outside.

8.3 Regarding Probable Overuse of Water Resources

The limitation on the collection of rainwater is to prevent the excess use of water resources. This is in the state named California, where the water resources are in short supply and water conservation is strictly applied.

8.4 Historical Causes

In a state like Utah, the rainwater collection is limited due to historical causes. Because the limitation was applied by the state water laws in the 1800s.

8.5 Regarding the Quality of The Water

The limitation of some states for rainwater harvesting is due to the protection of water quality. In states like Ohio, it is legal to collect rainwater but only for non-potable water uses.

9. Why Is It Illegal Collect Rainwater in Colorado

The limitation on collecting rainwater is prohibited due to historical causes. The restriction has been implemented by state water rules theory to maintain impartial water distribution. In the constitution of the state, the doctrine is written and mentions that it was earlier shared with someone else’s water supply.

As mentioned, in recent years several changes in the system of management have been made. Colorado commences a pilot program in 2009, which allows individuals who depend on well water to apply for rainwater. Later on, in 2016 House Bill 16-1005 was passed out and made the residential use of rain barrels lawful. Most residents of the state of Colorado were allowed to use rain barrels to collect rainwater under this system of management.

Now it is permitted in Colorado to use rain barrels but there are still some management and imitations that need to be followed while using rain barrels legally. These limitations differ based on the residential circumstances so it is advisable to become naturalize yourself with the relevant guidelines in your surroundings.

As we have seen the limitation on collecting rainwater has been historically tough in Colorado. In New Year’s in the state of Colorado, there have been certain changes made in the management and it has been allowed for finite harvesting of rainwater by the use of rain barrels. You should be aware of the modern rules and management in your state to ensure content with useful laws.

10. In The End

is it illegal collect rainwater
Image by Bob from Pixabay/Copyright2015

Now it’s time to conclude the article on whether is it illegal to collect rainwater. In this article we have seen many topics like what is rainwater harvesting, the pros and cons of rainwater harvesting, why it is illegal to collect rainwater in many states, and many more. So, the rainwater collection legality differs from state to state in the U.S.(United States). As seen above some states have regulations and limitations, and other states may have no regulations or some specific guidelines for harvesting rainwater.

There are some common limitations for rainwater harvesting and they are like regarding potential overuse of water, the requirements for impartial water distribution, etc. It has been historically illegal to collect rainwater in the state named Colorado, due to the state water rules and the theory of prior appropriation which targets maintaining the impartial distribution of water.

On the other hand, some changes have been made in recent years in the management, and rainwater harvesting by the source of rain barrels has been allowed but is limited. As the use of rain barrels has been permitted in the state named Colorado still there are some limitations to using rainwater legally.

You should be aware of the important current rules and regulations in your state to assure consent with the relevant laws. Rainwater harvesting is a great water source to reduce water bills and help the surroundings by proper groundwater recharge.

Last Updated on by Moumilife

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My name is Yogita Rathi, and I'm pursuing student at RNB Global University in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Additionally, I completed a digital marketing course and obtained certificates from Google Digital Garage and Great Learning Academy. I am enthusiastic regarding my work .
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Moumita Chakraborty is an avid reader, writer, and editor with immense interest in research, analysis, and fact-checking. As a Library & Information Science student, she has a lot of interest in literature study, reviewing, and editing. She is passionate and keenly observant of details to produce the best possible results.

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