Claims that it is illegal to collect rainwater in some states are both true and false.
Eleven states have passed laws regarding the collection of rainwater, but those laws do not necessarily make it illegal. Some states actually offer tax incentives to encourage people to setup their own rainwater collection systems. There have been similar misunderstandings about rainwater collection laws in Colorado. Before 2009, Colorado had strict laws that basically made collecting rainwater illegal. But the state later introduced laws that made it legal to use some rooftop rainwater collection systems and to set up rainwater retention basins at new development sites. Other states that have rainwater collection laws on the books include Arizona, Illinois, …show more content…
Therefore, property owners have a right to reasonable use of ground and surface water on their property. But there are no limits to what Nanny Law can enforce. The states or federal government want to create impoundments, such as arresting Gary Harrington for the senseless act of collecting water, or perhaps being arrested for irrigating crops with the water above a threshold level require permits are impractical. In the state of Colorado it became one step closer to making rainwater harvesting a legal option for more of its residents. Before the new law allowing rainwater collection was passed, it was illegal in Colorado to gather rainwater and snowmelt that fell from rooftops, patios or driveways into barrels. Also, rainwater harvesting occurs when storm water runoff is diverted from flowing to the ground and instead put to beneficial use by the rainwater harvester. However, in western parts of the U.S., unlike in the east coast, capturing rainwater is generally illegal due to the prior appropriation doctrine that governs water. Using gray water can increase soil moisture in a garden or even supply a home's water needs, getting one step closer to going off the …show more content…
Water laws are outrageous, convoluted, and often unfair, but they are still better than anarchy or a free market. The line has to be drawn somewhere, and in my humble opinion, certain states have crossed them. In the end I sill believe there is much confusion about what harvested rainwater really is. Some US jurisdictions consider it reclaimed water and others refer to it as “gray-water”. With the growth of rainwater harvesting, there is a definite need for leadership and direction on this topic. Conflicting United States Codes (USC) and certifications will only hamper growth and adoption. The good news, as is visible below in the state-by-state listing; states, counties and cities are getting involved. The bad news is that numerous uncoordinated activities and directions have yet to be defined to clarify what is senseless. The same argument that is now being used to restrict rainwater collection could, of course, be used to declare that you have no right to the air you breathe, either. After all, governments could declare that air to be someone else's air, and the government could impose an "air tax" or an "air royalty", and demand you pay money for every breath that keeps you alive. Think it could not happen, just give it time. The government already claims it owns your land and house. If you really think you own your home, just stop paying property taxes and see how long you
Eleven states have passed laws regarding the collection of rainwater, but those laws do not necessarily make it illegal. Some states actually offer tax incentives to encourage people to setup their own rainwater collection systems. There have been similar misunderstandings about rainwater collection laws in Colorado. Before 2009, Colorado had strict laws that basically made collecting rainwater illegal. But the state later introduced laws that made it legal to use some rooftop rainwater collection systems and to set up rainwater retention basins at new development sites. Other states that have rainwater collection laws on the books include Arizona, Illinois, …show more content…
Therefore, property owners have a right to reasonable use of ground and surface water on their property. But there are no limits to what Nanny Law can enforce. The states or federal government want to create impoundments, such as arresting Gary Harrington for the senseless act of collecting water, or perhaps being arrested for irrigating crops with the water above a threshold level require permits are impractical. In the state of Colorado it became one step closer to making rainwater harvesting a legal option for more of its residents. Before the new law allowing rainwater collection was passed, it was illegal in Colorado to gather rainwater and snowmelt that fell from rooftops, patios or driveways into barrels. Also, rainwater harvesting occurs when storm water runoff is diverted from flowing to the ground and instead put to beneficial use by the rainwater harvester. However, in western parts of the U.S., unlike in the east coast, capturing rainwater is generally illegal due to the prior appropriation doctrine that governs water. Using gray water can increase soil moisture in a garden or even supply a home's water needs, getting one step closer to going off the …show more content…
Water laws are outrageous, convoluted, and often unfair, but they are still better than anarchy or a free market. The line has to be drawn somewhere, and in my humble opinion, certain states have crossed them. In the end I sill believe there is much confusion about what harvested rainwater really is. Some US jurisdictions consider it reclaimed water and others refer to it as “gray-water”. With the growth of rainwater harvesting, there is a definite need for leadership and direction on this topic. Conflicting United States Codes (USC) and certifications will only hamper growth and adoption. The good news, as is visible below in the state-by-state listing; states, counties and cities are getting involved. The bad news is that numerous uncoordinated activities and directions have yet to be defined to clarify what is senseless. The same argument that is now being used to restrict rainwater collection could, of course, be used to declare that you have no right to the air you breathe, either. After all, governments could declare that air to be someone else's air, and the government could impose an "air tax" or an "air royalty", and demand you pay money for every breath that keeps you alive. Think it could not happen, just give it time. The government already claims it owns your land and house. If you really think you own your home, just stop paying property taxes and see how long you