What states is it illegal to collect rainwater in?
Summary
It appears that rainwater collection legality varies by state, and is subject to change. Some users mention that in the past, certain states in the Western U.S. had strict regulations due to established water rights, while others are now encouraging collection. One user specifically mentioned Washington having some kind of law about not being able to collect rainwater, but this may have been appealed. Another user shared an article discussing how Colorado has changed its laws to allow rainwater collection, marking a shift in water rights management.
Here's what our forum users are saying about rainwater collection:
- "There's some kind of law on the books in Washington about not being able to collect rainwater. It's the property of the state." -- Hanau, Lawnsite.com
- "Precipitation, every last drop or flake, was assigned ownership from the moment it fell in many Western states, making scofflaws of people who scooped rainfall from their own gutters." -- ICT Bill, Lawnsite.com
- "Now two new laws in Colorado will allow many people to collect rainwater legally." -- ICT Bill, Lawnsite.com
- "If it falls on my house on my property it is mine. Some of those laws are just plain dumb!" -- tracyalan, Lawnsite.com
- "Diverting water from lakes and rivers is one thing but collecting rain water in a barrel that was going to soak into the ground one way or another whether it fall directly from the sky or you hold it for a couple weeks before you put it into the ground should not be legally controlled." -- terrapro, Lawnsite.com
Post Mentions
- Who would have thought it could be possible to go to jail for collecting rain water from your roof http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/us/29rain.html?_r=1 DURANGO, Colo. — For the first time since territorial days, rain will be free for the catching here, as more and more thirsty states part ways...
- There's some kind of law on the books in Washington about not being able to collect rainwater. It's the property of the state. It might be appealed now, I see rainbarrels hooked to down spouts all over Pullman. It's something I'd like to get into and sell.
- we are geting ready to break ground on a new building here on campus that will be LEED certified...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LEED we are installing a 20k gallon tank to collect rain water, runoff form the roof, chiller condensate and other sources with in the building. they are estimating...
- Doesn't this pose a problem? After only 2-3 days you will be out of water. Once ET rates determine daily watering is necessary, this most likely means there is no rain to collect. Are they planning to install a well to supplement when needed? You can't use potable water. If so, from what I...
- Yucatan has systems similar to this all over the place. Only difference is that when they get low the water is brought in by truck. Having stayed at a house on the Caribbean with a RW harvesting system I know it can be done. Most of what I see around here are feel good toys that get abandoned.
- I live in Colorado and I'm from North Dakota where everyone have a rain barrel by there house. Here are my thoughts. If it falls on my house on my property it is mine. Some of those laws are just palin dumb!
- That one proved the stupidity of old times. Diverting water from lakes and rivers is one thing but collecting rain water in a barrel that was going to soak into the ground one way or another whether it fall directly from the sky or you hold it for a couple weeks before you put it into the ground...
- My understanding of the legalities of the new laws in CO are that they aren't totally opening up rainwater harvesting. I think there was a follow-up article, or maybe it was just broader, but it said something to the effect as to colorado "not opening up the door to rainwater harvesting - just...
- One of the biggest culture shocks I have experienced with the move from KS to NM is water rights. I don't think rain harvesting is going to make that much difference here, realize that I am only about 40 miles from Durango, and my ANNUAL rainfall is less than 7". What amazes me the most is...
- It's not like people have 5,000 gallon tanks in their back yards and have a huge amount of water. Most people will have a barrel or 2 and they water their flowers and garden with this. The best part is, come end of fall, they release all the remaining water. You can not keep it over the winter...
Related Threads
- Has anyone heard of people collecting rainfall from gutters in barrels to use for irrigation? Dan
- Anyone installed a rain water harvesting system. I had a customer ask and I am just starting initial search. A zillion articles out there. I am definitely skeptical that there is a system that would work in California where we go six months with no rain and then six months of moderately...
- Who would have thought it could be possible to go to jail for collecting rain water from your roof http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/us/29rain.html?_r=1 DURANGO, Colo. — For the first time since territorial days, rain will be free for the catching here, as more and more thirsty states part ways...
