解决了！收集雨水是非法的吗？

Q: We just purchased our first home and moved clear across the country. It’s dry out here, and I’d love to collect rainwater to use for my garden but I’m wondering: Is it illegal to collect rainwater?

A:Kudos to you on your new home—and for hoping to practice通过收集和重复雨水来保护。毕竟，水是一种宝贵的资源，那么为什么浪费什么是免费的？尽管雨水收集在美国的每个州都是合法的，但许多州和市政当局确实对这种做法有限制。其他州（尤其是那些有干燥气候的西部的国家），包括雨水收藏，也称为雨水收集，因为它减轻了当地供水系统的负担。您的州甚至可能会提供雨水收集的激励措施！

RELATED:Yes, You Can Reuse Water at Home—Here’s How

Rainwater collection regulations generally seek to control the amount of water that can be collected, the method of collection, and the intended use of the water. Bottom line? Check with your local authorities to determine what, if any, restrictions are in place, since if you fail to follow the rules, you may face consequences, such as fines or even jail time. Right now, read on to understand the reasons for restrictions on collecting rainwater.

Restrictions on rainwater harvesting in the United States date back to the California Gold Rush of 1848 to 1855.

Miners often used high-pressure water systems to displace rock and dirt in the search for gold. This process of hydraulic mining requires water that’s scarce in areas of California, so miners began creating waterways to direct water their way—water that wasn’t technically on their land. This led to a “first come, first served” doctrine, where as long as miners could prove that the water was from a natural source and being put to beneficial use, they had rights to it. This policy ofprior appropriationand subsequent laws have changed over the years, and some states that restricted rainwater collection now encourage it.

The prime reason for rainwater collection regulation is to protect your health.

Most states allow people to harvest rainwater on their residential and/or commercial properties for non-drinking purposes, such as给草坪浇水。But for your safety, there may be strict rules against harvesting water for drinking,as rainwater can contain harmful substances, such as animal feces, E.Coli, and pesticides. If you intend to use collected rainwater for drinking and other human consumption purposes such as cooking or showering, you’ll need to ensure that your setup complies with state or local government policies for filtering the water.

Some states and towns may have regulations on the amount of rainwater you may harvest.

Collection amount regulations are in place because any rainwater you harvest is rainwater that won’t go into nearby streams, ponds, and other natural bodies of water—and that has the potential to disrupt ecosystems. The rainwater collection amount that states with restrictions allow can vary: Colorado allows only a total of 110 gallons, while Illinois permits rainwater harvesting of up to 5,000 gallons without a permit for residents.

Some states and towns may have regulations on the rainwater collection method.

Rain barrelshold approximately 55 gallons of water and are typically designed to catch water from downspouts. A cistern is a tank that can hold much more—up to 10,000 gallons. While both are popular rainwater collection vessels, approval for use will depend on your state. Rain barrels are typically approved and unregulated (except for in Colorado, where they are regulated), while cisterns may require a professional engineer or plumber to design the system to ensure the water is properly harvested and filtered for use.

Check with your state’s department of agriculture, health department, or water board for rainwater harvesting regulations to avoid legal consequences.

随着气候变化和干旱的关注，有关雨水收集的法律可能会发生变化。每个州的管道代码（有些州用于规范家庭雨水收集）也可能会发生变化。由于雨水收集不受联邦法律的监管，因此必须遵守当地准则。考虑以下州的雨水收集法规。

• 阿肯色州：It’s permissible to collect rainwater in Arkansas for non-drinking purposes only. The collection system must be designed by a licensed professional engineer in the state of Arkansas and comply withArkansas Plumbing Code。The system must also include appropriate cross-connection safeguards to avoid contaminating other water sources.
• 加利福尼亚：您可以在加利福尼亚收集雨水未经许可，这要归功于Rainwater Capture Act然而，2012年的使用必须遵守California State Water Resources Control Board。如果您打算将雨水用于池塘或灌溉目的，则必须通过董事会申请许可证。
• Colorado:Though Colorado formerly restricted rainwater collection, the practice is now legal statewide provided that residents use only two rain barrels with a maximum capacity of 110 gallons. Harvested water must also be used only on the property from which it was collected and is restricted to non-potable uses,国家统治从屋顶收集的那种住宅雨水不得不喝酒。
• Georgia:It’s permissible to collect rainwater inGeorgiafor non-potable uses—and for drinking provided that the system complies with your local county’s requirements. This means the water must be collected in an approved reservoir and pass through a filtration system,除其他要求。
• 伊利诺伊州：收集雨水Illinois is legalfor non-drinking purposes as long as the collection system complies with the Illinois Plumbing Code. This states, in part, that rainwater collected for a commercial use such as irrigation, or that exceeds 5,000 gallons, requires approval from theDepartment of Public Healthto ensure the collection system is in compliance.
• Kansas:堪萨斯州未经许可，牲畜，牧场或多达两英亩的草坪和花园，允许在堪萨斯州进行家庭用途的雨水收集。但是，出于商业灌溉和其他目的，必须通过Kansas Department of Agriculture。
• Nevada:在内华达州收集雨水，直到2017年才不需要许可，但是现在收获对房主合法有一定的限制。The water must be solely for domestic use and cannot be used for drinking.
• 北卡罗莱纳:Rainwater collection in北卡罗莱纳is regulated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The state regulates non-potable use of rainwater harvesting for outdoor irrigation and for plumbing use, such as for flushing toilets.
• Ohio:俄亥俄州允许雨水收集饮用和不可饮用的用途，如卫生与环境保护局所监督。有rules in place for private water systems使用水箱收集rainwater for domestic use, including family dwellings, small businesses, barns, and campgrounds.
• 俄勒冈州:Rainwater collection in俄勒冈州由水资源部监管。只能使用屋顶表面来收集水，并且可以使用适当的过滤系统饮用水。
• Utah:收集雨水Utah通过水权分司进行监管。收集者的最大容量为2,500，必须注册批准才能捕获和存储降水犹他州水权分部。

Some states encourage rainwater collection—and even offer tax incentives, discounted rain barrels, and/or grants for doing so.

The states below offer certain incentives for rainwater harvesting, but collection practices must meet the requirements for the incentives as designated by the state or county. Remember, if you intend to utilize the water for drinking, a filtration system is crucial and the type of system may be regulated by your county, so check local laws before investing in a system.

• Delaware:Delaware has no restrictions regarding rainwater collection for residents.The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Controloffers incentives for collecting rainwater, such as discounted rain barrels.
• Florida:Florida has no restrictions on collecting rainwater, and many counties offer incentives for doing so, such as through the节水激励计划（Watersip）。Since 2003, the WaterSIP has allocated $3.8 million to public and private entities, helping to save an estimated 2.3 billion gallons of water a year.
• Maryland:马里兰没有雨水collecti限制on and some counties offer incentives. Prince George’s County, for instance, offers rebates through the雨检查折扣计划for collected water. For residential properties, rain barrels must collect 50 gallons for a rebate of $2 per gallon or up to $4,000. For commercial properties, the barrels must hold 100 gallons and the rebate is capped at $20,000.
• 新泽西州:新泽西州对雨水收集没有任何限制，并为居民提供这样的激励计划捕获，控制和保护奖励回扣计划。回扣限额为2,500美元的住宅物业，商业物业的$ 10,000。
• Oklahoma:Oklahoma recently passed theWater for 2060 Act, establishing a goal of consuming no more fresh water in 2060 than was consumed in 2010. The act utilizes education and incentives to encourage residents to conserve water to meet its goals,one of whichis encouraging the use of rain barrels.
• Louisiana:The state of Louisiana does not restrict the collection of rainwater for residents. In fact, theLouisiana Department of Natural Resourcesencourages the practice of harvesting rainwater for outside uses.
• 德克萨斯州：您可以合法收集雨水Texasand may receive tax incentives for doing so. Rainwater harvesting in Texas is regulated by the Water Development Board. Rainwater harvesting equipment is exempt from sales tax and property taxes.
• 罗德岛:罗德岛has no restrictions on rainwater collection and offers tax incentives for the practice. Homes and businesses are entitled to a tax credit of 10 percent of the cost of installing a cistern to collect rainwater, not to exceed $1,000. The cistern must also hold at least 50 gallons to qualify for the credit.
• Virginia:Rainwater collection is encouraged inVirginia。美国Alternative Water Supply Assistance Fundoffers grants to businesses and individuals to help sustain rainwater collection methods.
• Washington:While there’s no permit required to collect rainwater inWashington State，有一些法规。您必须仅在财产上收集雨水，并且仅从收集雨水（例如，您的家庭或企业）以外的其他结构中收集雨水。如果您打算使用水喝水，则必须向您的县核对是否可能采取进一步的限制。作为激励措施，华盛顿州的一些城市可能会减少使用雨水收集系统的商业物业的雨水公用事业费用。