Assembly Bill 138 states that rainwater may be collected without a water right or permit to appropriate water as long as provisions apply. The collected rain must be used on the property where it is collected and may only be used for outdoor purposes such as lawn irrigation and gardening. It also allows remote guzzlers for wildlife that hold up to 20,000 gallons with a capture area of no more than an acre. (n.d.). Efficient use of water is critical in Texas because of its growing population and limited water supply. Rainwater harvesting is legal in Illinois but with two major statutes. The short answer is that rainwater harvesting is not illegal on a federal level. While there are a handful of states that have strict regulations and require permits, most states are trending towards favoring and encouraging private rainwater catchmentsome states even offer financial incentives and tax rebates to do so. Low pressure/high volume systems work well with rain catchment. Iowa has no regulations on rainwater collection. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), National Conference of State Legislatures, A journal published by the University of North Carolina, legislation regarding rainwater harvesting, This Portable Chainsaw Slices Through Thick Logs in Secondsand Its 50% Off, 20 Home Renovations That Instantly Increase Your Home Value, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Some government restriction on rainwater harvesting is based on the rationale that it may disrupt the hydrologic cycle. Thanks to the average annual precipitation of 56 (1422.4 mm) of Mississippi. Rainwater harvesting is legal in Missouri and highly encouraged. We recommend our users to update the browser. In this article, well uncover the truth about the legality of rainwater harvesting and provide information on the specific laws for each state. Rainharvest Systems has the largest selection of rainwater harvesting supplies and at the best prices. House Bill 2830 allows cities and towns to establish a fund for rainwater harvesting systems. Therefore, the laws around rainwater harvesting can be Reply Ziggity_Zac . Hi Chris. States make their own laws on whether and how individuals can collect rainwater. If there are health effects regarding that water, the municipality or the owner cannot be held liable for the consumption of that water. There are no rainwater harvesting restrictions or regulations. Before using collected rainwater for drinking, bathing, or cooking, consider whether treatment is needed to make it safe. Groundwater harvesting is regulated and can be purchased as a water right. Senate Bill 32 states that the person must be registered with the Division of Water Resources if they plan to collect up to 2,500 gallons of rainwater. Fortunately, collecting rainwater is not illegal in most states.