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Untreated rainwater collected from roofs is not safe to drink. Water laws are so strict in colorado that rainwater collection is virtually prohibited.

Rainwater Harvesting Illegal In Some Us States Rainharvest Co Za

Historically colorado had strict laws prohibiting the collection of rainwater.

Why is it illegal to collect rainwater in colorado. Rainwater is a natural human right. In that case the law says that you can collect your own rainwater because you were going to pump it from the ground anyway. Unless you have a well.

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. At this rate it is likely that most states will trend towards favoring rainwater collection and it is highly unlikely that the federal government will enforce any. However a 2007 study conducted by the colorado water conservation board cwcb nearby districts and douglas county determined that only three percent of rain actually reached a stream or the.

The other states to have introduced rainwater collection laws include illinois arizona ohio north carolina oklahoma texas rhode island utah. 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. Colorado has been the only state with an outright ban on residential rain barrels and one of just four states that restrict rainwater harvesting.

The doctrine is written into the state s constitution. I think the fact that collecting rainwater is illegal in some states is a crime in itself. However this law was overturned in 2009 so that rainwater collection is now legal using specific collection systems.

Water law experts say rain barrels are only technically illegal because proving they injure the water rights of other users is nearly impossible. Collected rainwater may be used to irrigate outdoor lawns plants or gardens. There are some really crazy laws on the books but colorado has the right idea in a lot of situations.

Hopefully the rest of the country follows suit there s no reason for it to be illegal. Most homeowners in colorado are now allowed to use rain barrels to collect rainwater. That s because weirdly collecting rainwater is actually illegal in some states.

A maximum of two rain barrels with a combined storage of 110 gallons or less are allowed at each household. If you run off of a city water system it is technically illegal to collect rainwater yourself. All the rain is already spoken for.

The collection of rainwater for beneficial use was recognized as a potential injury to senior water rights and was historically prohibited in colorado.