Is Collecting Rainwater From Your Roof Illegal

Collecting the rainwater that runs off your roof is a great way to conserve an important natural resource.

Is collecting rainwater from your roof illegal.

Yep rain water is illegal. That s the good news. This means at the federal level it is not illegal to collect rainwater. That s because weirdly collecting rainwater is actually illegal in some states.

Rainwater harvesting is legal in oregon but may only be collected from a catchment system on rooftop surfaces. As bizarre as it sounds i guess it really shouldn t be a surprise. Untreated rainwater collected from roofs is not safe to drink. However collecting rainwater for landscaping purposes would require a license.

Rainwater harvesting coming from your roof is fine in california. Collected rainwater may be used to irrigate outdoor lawns plants or gardens. In news that seems like it came straight out of bizzaro world a man in oregon has been sentenced to 30 days in jail after authorities say he had the nerve to collect rainwater. No permit from the state board is necessary.

While the collection of rainwater might seem like a normal thing you will be surprised to learn that it is illegal in some states. Water law experts say rain barrels are only technically illegal because proving they injure the water rights of other users is nearly impossible. Is it illegal to collect rainwater in the united states there aren t federal laws or restrictions based on rainwater harvesting. The state gives some approval for alternate methods of construction of rainwater harvesting systems but legal advice should be sought before attempting to construct any system on private property.

Water is often in short supply in the heat of summer so it s tempting to use roof runoff. The link provides 18 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. The easiest way to harvest rain is through a rain barrel make your own from a large trash can or an old drum linked to a pipe fitted to collect rainwater from the rooftop and verandah of the house.