Is Collecting Rainwater From Your Roof Illegal

Also rain water collected in tanks that are used can sit for a very long time because the water gets refilled and replaced by new rains.

Is collecting rainwater from your roof illegal.

If you want to collect rainwater without a roof or downspout you can use a tarp instead. A high quality enameled roofing material that is easy to clean standing seam metal offers the highest collection efficiency available. If you re installing a new roof for the purpose of collecting rainwater standing seam metal may very well be your best choice. Rainwater collection including the use of rain barrels has become more popular as a supplemental source of water.

Rainwater harvesting is legal in illinois but with two major statutes. 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. Rainwater collection systems can be as simple as collecting rain in a rain barrel or as elaborate as harvesting rainwater into large cisterns to supply your entire household demand. If you collect in tanks from your own roof structures it is not illegal.

That is roughly a total of 110 gallons and this should only be on their rooftops. No permit from the state board is necessary. Only if it sits for a long period of time without use and without subsequent refills will it go. The idea of rainwater harvesting usually conjures up images of an old farm cistern or thoughts of developing countries.

Such water does not go bad at all. In 2009 we issued a rainwater use interpretive policy which clarifies that you may use water collected from your rooftop without a water right permit however there are rules on using rainwater as a potable drinkable water source. However collecting rainwater for landscaping purposes would require a license if a rain capture system is being used to create a water supply swimming pool hot tub fountains ponds a landscaper must be authorized to enter a prime contract for that system. That s because weirdly collecting rainwater is actually illegal in some states.

Rainwater harvesting coming from your roof is fine in california. House bill 991 2011 amended the homeowners solar rights act it requires that within 120 days after a homeowners association the association shall adopt. Therefore before you set up your rainwater barrels be sure to confirm with the authorities if it is legal to collect rainwater in your state. Rainwater for gardening is great for plants and soil health.

In summary as we have seen in the article above. Untreated rainwater collected from roofs is not safe to drink. Collected rainwater may be used to irrigate outdoor lawns plants or gardens. T he green infrastructure for clean water act which relates to water conservation efficiency infrastructure and management while promoting rainwater harvesting.