Introduction
Rainwater harvesting is a practice that has been gaining popularity over the years. It involves collecting rainwater and using it for various purposes such as irrigation, household chores, and even drinking. However, not all states in the US allow this practice. In some states, there are restrictions on collecting rainwater – these states are Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
California is one of the states where rainwater collection is restricted. The state has a complex water rights system, and rainwater is considered a part of this system. Therefore, collecting rainwater without the proper permits is illegal. However, there are exceptions for small-scale collection, such as rain barrels that capture roof runoff.
Colorado is another state where rainwater collection is restricted. The state’s water laws are among the most complex in the country, and collecting rainwater is regulated under these laws. The state requires permits for rainwater collection, and the amount of water collected is limited. Violating these laws can result in hefty fines.
Illinois is another state where rainwater collection is restricted. The state’s water laws consider rainwater as a part of the state’s water supply, and collecting it without the proper permits is illegal. The state requires permits for any activity that alters the state’s water supply, including rainwater collection. However, there are exemptions for small-scale collection.
Utah is another state where rainwater collection is restricted. The state’s water laws consider rainwater as a part of the state’s water supply, and collecting it without the proper permits is illegal. The state requires permits for rainwater collection, and the amount of water collected is limited. However, the state offers exemptions for small-scale collection, such as rain barrels that capture roof runoff.
States by Rainwater Collection Restrictions
| State | Rainwater Collection Laws | Total Precipitation |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No Restrictions | 1,656.1 mm |
| Alaska | No Restrictions | 1,006.3 mm |
| Connecticut | No Restrictions | 1,297.2 mm |
| Delaware | No Restrictions | 1,038.6 mm |
| Idaho | No Restrictions | 531.9 mm |
| Indiana | No Restrictions | 1,161.5 mm |
| Iowa | No Restrictions | 790.4 mm |
| Kentucky | No Restrictions | 1,356.4 mm |
| Louisiana | No Restrictions | 1,688.8 mm |
| Maine | No Restrictions | 1,001.3 mm |
| Massachusetts | No Restrictions | 1,390.7 mm |
| Mississippi | No Restrictions | 1,695.5 mm |
| Missouri | No Restrictions | 1,118.4 mm |
| Montana | No Restrictions | 363.2 mm |
| Nebraska | No Restrictions | 575.3 mm |
| New Hampshire | No Restrictions | 1,166.9 mm |
| New York | No Restrictions | 1,175.5 mm |
| Oklahoma | No Restrictions | 855 mm |
| South Carolina | No Restrictions | 1,205.7 mm |
| South Dakota | No Restrictions | 461.5 mm |
| Tennessee | No Restrictions | 1,497.1 mm |
| Vermont | No Restrictions | 1,063.8 mm |
| West Virginia | No Restrictions | 1,081.8 mm |
| Arizona | Offer Incentives | 319 mm |
| Florida | Offer Incentives | 1,406.1 mm |
| Hawaii | Offer Incentives | |
| Kansas | Offer Incentives | 692.2 mm |
| Maryland | Offer Incentives | 1,056.1 mm |
| Michigan | Offer Incentives | 835.9 mm |
| Minnesota | Offer Incentives | 601.2 mm |
| New Jersey | Offer Incentives | 1,218.9 mm |
| New Mexico | Offer Incentives | 314.2 mm |
| North Carolina | Offer Incentives | 1,209.3 mm |
| North Dakota | Offer Incentives | 395.7 mm |
| Oregon | Offer Incentives | 723.9 mm |
| Pennsylvania | Offer Incentives | 1,171.4 mm |
| Rhode Island | Offer Incentives | 1,264.2 mm |
| Texas | Offer Incentives | 732.3 mm |
| Wyoming | Offer Incentives | 365.5 mm |
| Arkansas | Restrictions | 1,280.7 mm |
| California | Restrictions | 481.1 mm |
| Colorado | Restrictions | 434.3 mm |
| Georgia | Restrictions | 1,446.8 mm |
| Illinois | Restrictions | 1,043.9 mm |
| Nevada | Restrictions | 243.3 mm |
| Ohio | Restrictions | 1,058.2 mm |
| Utah | Restrictions | 344.2 mm |
| Virginia | Restrictions | 1,037.8 mm |
| Washington | Restrictions | 1,114.8 mm |
| Wisconsin | Restrictions | 760.2 mm |
Rainwater Collection Laws by State
Alabama
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,656.1 mm
Ranked in the US
#3
Alaska
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,006.3 mm
Ranked in the US
#28
Arizona
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
319 mm
Ranked in the US
#47
Arkansas
Rainwater Collection Laws
Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,280.7 mm
Ranked in the US
#10
California
Rainwater Collection Laws
Restrictions
Total Precipitation
481.1 mm
Ranked in the US
#40
Colorado
Rainwater Collection Laws
Restrictions
Total Precipitation
434.3 mm
Ranked in the US
#42
Connecticut
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,297.2 mm
Ranked in the US
#9
Delaware
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,038.6 mm
Ranked in the US
#26
Florida
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
1,406.1 mm
Ranked in the US
#6
Georgia
Rainwater Collection Laws
Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,446.8 mm
Ranked in the US
#5
Hawaii
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Idaho
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
531.9 mm
Ranked in the US
#39
Illinois
Rainwater Collection Laws
Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,043.9 mm
Ranked in the US
#25
Indiana
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,161.5 mm
Ranked in the US
#18
Iowa
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
790.4 mm
Ranked in the US
#32
Kansas
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
692.2 mm
Ranked in the US
#36
Kentucky
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,356.4 mm
Ranked in the US
#8
Louisiana
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,688.8 mm
Ranked in the US
#2
Maine
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,001.3 mm
Ranked in the US
#29
Maryland
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
1,056.1 mm
Ranked in the US
#24
Massachusetts
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,390.7 mm
Ranked in the US
#7
Michigan
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
835.9 mm
Ranked in the US
#31
Minnesota
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
601.2 mm
Ranked in the US
#37
Mississippi
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,695.5 mm
Ranked in the US
#1
Missouri
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,118.4 mm
Ranked in the US
#19
Montana
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
363.2 mm
Ranked in the US
#45
Nebraska
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
575.3 mm
Ranked in the US
#38
Nevada
Rainwater Collection Laws
Restrictions
Total Precipitation
243.3 mm
Ranked in the US
#49
New Hampshire
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,166.9 mm
Ranked in the US
#17
New Jersey
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
1,218.9 mm
Ranked in the US
#12
New Mexico
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
314.2 mm
Ranked in the US
#48
New York
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,175.5 mm
Ranked in the US
#15
North Carolina
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
1,209.3 mm
Ranked in the US
#13
North Dakota
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
395.7 mm
Ranked in the US
#43
Ohio
Rainwater Collection Laws
Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,058.2 mm
Ranked in the US
#23
Oklahoma
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
855 mm
Ranked in the US
#30
Oregon
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
723.9 mm
Ranked in the US
#35
Pennsylvania
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
1,171.4 mm
Ranked in the US
#16
Rhode Island
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
1,264.2 mm
Ranked in the US
#11
South Carolina
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,205.7 mm
Ranked in the US
#14
South Dakota
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
461.5 mm
Ranked in the US
#41
Tennessee
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,497.1 mm
Ranked in the US
#4
Texas
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
732.3 mm
Ranked in the US
#34
Utah
Rainwater Collection Laws
Restrictions
Total Precipitation
344.2 mm
Ranked in the US
#46
Vermont
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,063.8 mm
Ranked in the US
#22
Virginia
Rainwater Collection Laws
Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,037.8 mm
Ranked in the US
#27
Washington
Rainwater Collection Laws
Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,114.8 mm
Ranked in the US
#20
West Virginia
Rainwater Collection Laws
No Restrictions
Total Precipitation
1,081.8 mm
Ranked in the US
#21
Wisconsin
Rainwater Collection Laws
Restrictions
Total Precipitation
760.2 mm
Ranked in the US
#33
Wyoming
Rainwater Collection Laws
Offer Incentives
Total Precipitation
365.5 mm
Ranked in the US
#44
FAQs
Is it illegal to collect rainwater ?
It is not illegal to collect rainwater in the US, but there are restrictions and regulations in some states.
Why is it illegal to collect rainwater ?
The reasons for the restrictions on rainwater collection vary but are often related to concerns over water rights, water quality, and the potential impact on downstream water users.
List of states where it is illegal to collect rainwater
There is no state in the US where collecting rainwater is illegal, but there are states that have restrictions around rainwater collection. These states are :
1. Arkansas
2. California
3. Colorado
4. Georgia
5. Illinois
6. Nevada
7. Ohio
8. Utah
9. Virginia
10. Washington
11. Wisconsin