Collecting rainwater is an ancient practice that saves money and lessens the impact on local water supplies. Yet as more people learn about its benefits, a growing number of them are facing legal challenges for doing it. Why is it illegal to collect rainwater? The short answer is that some government officials don’t understand the risks. In many places, collecting rainwater from your roof is illegal or requires special permits and inspections from code enforcement agents. These rules aren’t meant to be punitive or invasive; they were enacted with good intentions and to keep people safe from potential health hazards such as contaminated wells and natural springs. However, there are plenty of reasons why collecting rainwater is currently illegal for many homeowners.
Why Is It Illegal To Collect Rainwater
It’s Unsafe
If you’re unable to complete a simple inspection of your roof and determine that it poses no health or safety hazards, then you should not be able to collect rainwater from it. If you do have problems with your roof, the best thing to do is get the necessary repairs done immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it will be for you to find reputable contractors in your area who will take on the job. You may also need to pay more money because of delayed repairs.
It’s Illegal
Many homeowners are surprised when they learn that collecting rainwater is illegal in their area. While this may seem like a minor issue, it can have big implications if you get caught doing it. In many cases, homeowners go to great lengths and spend a lot of money trying to find solutions that work and are legal in their area only to discover that they were wrong about their options or in need of permits and inspections that they never knew existed. If your government officials decide that there are problems with your roof or other structural issues, then getting rid of them could become an expensive proposition for both yourself and anyone else who lives on your property. To make matters worse, some local governments have rules that prohibit even fixing any problems without first obtaining special permits from code enforcement agents who can inspect your property at any time without notice.
It’s Dangerous
Many people feel strongly about being able to collect rainwater from their roofs because they want to ensure that they have a way to water their plants. Some people believe that collecting rainwater is necessary for their health and safety as well. However, most municipalities don’t allow rainwater collection because of the health and safety hazards associated with it. If you live in an area where it is illegal to collect rainwater from your roof, you will be at greater risk for lead poisoning, illness, or other serious problems because you will not have the ability to get rid of any contaminants in the water.
It’s Complicated
Many people who try to collect rainwater from their roofs discover that there are many issues involved when trying to do so legally. For example, many homeowners are unaware that they need permits from code enforcement agents before they can collect rainwater from their roofs or even do any repairs on them. In addition, there are often special rules about how much water can be collected and where it can be used. If you’re not sure what these rules are in your area, then you should speak with an experienced attorney who can help you determine if it’s safe for you to collect rainwater and how much water it is safe for you to collect without breaking zoning laws or other local ordinances that may prohibit this activity altogether.
It’s Expensive
If you live in an area where it’s illegal to collect rainwater from your roof, then you may have to spend a lot of money on more expensive alternatives. This could be a problem for many homeowners who are already stretched too thin, especially if they don’t have the financial resources to do so. If you live in an area where it is legal to collect rainwater from your roof, but you don’t know how much it is safe for you to collect without breaking local ordinances or zoning laws, then finding out how much water you can use could cost a lot of money as well.
It’s Not Safe
Why should people who want to collect rainwater from their roofs be forced to deal with all the problems that could arise if they decide that they want to do so? Many homeowners think that collecting rainwater will make them healthier and safer because they can use it for drinking water and gardening purposes. However, there are many health issues associated with collecting rainwater because most collectors don’t realize that there are lead and other metal issues associated with collecting rainwater from your roof. If there are metal contaminants in the water that collects from your roof, then those contaminants may end up being transferred into your body when you drink the water or use it for gardening purposes.
The Pros Of Collecting Rainwater
- Rainwater is free, clean, and environmentally friendly.
- Unlike water from your faucet, rainwater doesn’t contain fluoride, chlorine, or other chemicals that might pose health risks.
- Rainwater harvesting can reduce reliance on municipal water supplies, which can potentially save money for families. It can also reduce the water needed for gardening and landscaping, which can help conserve natural resources and protect the environment.
- Another benefit of rainwater harvesting is that it reduces stormwater runoff and flooding. When people collect rainwater from their roofs, it keeps it from running into rivers and lakes, which can cause water pollution.
- Rainwater harvesting can also improve water pressure in your home, which can help prevent mini-earthquakes that cause cracks in walls and floors and a variety of other problems.
How Does Rainwater Harvesting Work
- Collect all the rainwater that you can from your roof with a rainwater harvesting system.
- Store the water in a container such as a barrel or large trash can.
- Use the stored water for drinking and gardening purposes.
- Don’t use the water for bathing, washing clothes, or other uses that might lead to health problems because it may contain contaminants from lead, copper, and other metals that could be harmful to your health and could cause serious medical issues later on in life if you are exposed to them too frequently over time.
- Do not use rainwater collected from your roofing materials or gutters as they could contain lead or other contaminants that could be harmful to your health over time.
- If you are concerned about protecting yourself against lead poisoning and other metal-related health issues, then consider getting tested by a doctor before consuming any of the stored water from your rainwater harvesting system (if you haven’t already).
- When using stored water for gardening purposes, make sure to use organic fertilizers so that it doesn’t contain toxins and doesn’t contaminate the rest of your yard’s soil with heavy metals and pesticides like conventional fertilizers do (most organic fertilizers won’t harm plants that are watered with collected rainwater).
What Are The Benefits Of Rainwater Harvesting
- Conservation – Rainwater harvesting reduces the need for water from other sources and protects the environment by reducing water pollution.
- Potable water – Rainwater harvesting can be used to supplement your household’s drinking water supply.
- Improved groundwater – A well that is used to collect rainwater is called a rainwater harvesting well. Rainwater harvesting wells are often used to help improve the water quality in nearby natural springs and other groundwater sources.
- Low maintenance – Rainwater harvesting requires little maintenance and can save homeowners the cost of having to repair or replace water lines that break.
- Stormwater control – Rainwater harvesting can help reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and flooding in areas where it is used.
How Can You Start Collecting Rainwater Legally
- Always ask the local authorities for permission before starting a rainwater harvesting project.
- Find out what regulations, permits, and fees are required to start collecting rainwater legally in your area.
- Obtain the necessary permits and licenses needed to operate your rainwater harvesting system.
- Make sure that you follow all safety precautions when installing your rainwater harvesting system so that it doesn’t cause any problems in the future (such as lead poisoning).
- Always make sure to clean or replace your gutters regularly so that they don’t become clogged by leaves, branches, or other debris during the fall and winter seasons (this can lead to clogs and overflowing gutters).
- Consider having a professional water testing company test all of the collected water from your rainwater harvesting system each year so that you can make sure that it is safe for drinking and gardening purposes (make sure to check with local health departments before doing this though as some areas may require different levels of testing depending on local environmental conditions).
Conclusion
Rainwater harvesting is an ancient practice that modern homeowners can use to reduce the cost of their monthly utility bills and protect the environment. Many government officials have enacted ordinances that make rainwater harvesting illegal, citing potential sources of contamination. If you have a clean source of rainwater, you can use it to supplement your household’s drinking water supply, reduce your reliance on municipal water sources, and protect the environment by reducing water pollution.
