Now It's Legal to Use Rainwater in ColoradoNew York Times 6.28.2009

Now It's Legal to Use Rainwater in Colorado
New York Times 6.28.2009

That it was ever illegal to harvest rainwater in Colorado seems so strange to us. But now, thanks to two new laws, residents can grab as much free rainwater as they'd like (and they don't have to worry about going to jail)...

Our favorite quote from the New York Times article:
“I was so willing to go to jail for catching water on my roof and watering my garden,” said Tom Bartels, a video producer here in southwestern Colorado, who has been illegally watering his vegetables and fruit trees from tanks attached to his gutters. “But now I’m not a criminal.”

According to the article, rainwater collection is still illegal in Utah and Washington. Would you risk going to jail, and harvest rainwater illegally if you lived in one of these states?

Via New York Times

(Image: Flickr member Taran Rampersad licensed for use under Creative Commons)

Comments (6)

I am with Tom Bartels on this one. I fully intend to harvest my rainwater, although I didn't know it was illegal here in Utah. Thanks for the heads up!

posted by Sistadre on June 29th 2009 at 12:29pm
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Correction: now it's legal to catch rainwater in PARTS of Colorado - if you have a private well. I live in Denver and it's still illegal for me.

posted by theseboots on June 29th 2009 at 12:54pm
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Thanks theseboots, I was about to post the clarification as well.

posted by kmarie on June 29th 2009 at 9:11pm
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parts of California, too

posted by slipperymarshmallow on June 29th 2009 at 9:18pm
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"According to the article, rainwater collection is still illegal in Utah and Washington."

Interesting, as I bought my rainbarrels directly from the City of Seattle...

The article says there are some local exceptions, but sadly had no links to what or where those might be. Also, it implies that it's illegal only if the owner doesn't also own mineral/water rights to the land. I don't know what residential ownership would include normally.

posted by morfydd on June 30th 2009 at 4:56am
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why would collecting rain water be illegal?

posted by mh330 on July 2nd 2009 at 11:55am
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