Rainwater Collection From Roof Laws

A basic rainwater collection system includes a roof gutters or roof drains and a piping system to convey the water to and from a storage tank or cistern.

Rainwater collection from roof laws.

It states that any type of rainwater collectors whether from gutters on your roof or any other rainwater drain control infringes on the water rights lawfully belonging to someone downstream. A flood of problems waiting to happen dives much deeper into water rights. However there are rules on using rainwater as a potable drinkable water source. Water rights are a first in time first in right situation.

Rainwater collection or rainwater catchment are other terms used to refer to this practice. Storage tanks can be inside or outside above or below ground or partially above and partially below ground see fi gures 1 and 2. State legislatures consider factors such as water rights quality standards and public health that rainwater harvesting may impact. 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.

Any container capable of collecting the rain shedding from a roof or patio can be used as a rainwater harvesting system. To comply with colorado water law the container must be equipped with a sealable lid. Two laws were passed in 2009 which loosened restrictions on rainwater collection allowing residents to use rainwater for non potable purposes. Collected rainwater may be used to irrigate outdoor lawns plants or gardens.

Rainwater collection calculation formulas and equations roof area ft2 x precipitation amount in x 0 623 amount collected gallons easy formula to remember. A journal published by the university of north carolina titled rainwater collection water law and climate change. That s because weirdly collecting rainwater is actually illegal in some states. Untreated rainwater collected from roofs is not safe to drink.

Rainwater collection including the use of rain barrels has become more popular as a supplemental source of water. There are however very strict laws regarding ground water and surface water. 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. In 2016 house bill 16 1005 was passed allowing residents to collect rainwater from a catchment system on their rooftops into two rain barrels with a combined capacity of 110 gallons.