Prepare for Spring: Collect Rainwater
While temperatures are frigid across the nation this time of the year, it never hurts to begin planning and preparing for spring. One tip I recommend, especially if you have any landscaping or vegetable gardening, is to collect rainwater. Collecting rainwater will save on your water bills when watering your landscaping plants or vegetable gardens, plus your plants will benefit from using natural rainwater versus watering them solely with water from your water utility provider. It also provides another source of water in the event of a major disaster, and the water could even be filtered with a water purifier (as I mentioned in a previous newsletter) in the event you would need to.
I found the recycled “food grade” rain barrels to be an excellent choice for being economical, easy to install, and a more sensible design than comparable rain barrels, even if they are not the most visually appealing (then again, you’d likely keep it in a backyard). Additionally, when installing a rain barrel, you will need to see if your state has any restrictions in place. Rainwater collection is not illegal in any state as of 2025, but some states have hefty restrictions on how you can collect rain water. Here is an article listing some of those restrictions. I have also been playing with Claude 3.5 Sonnet AI this week inside the Brave Web Browser Leo AI. Here are the results it provided:
Based on the search results, it's important to note that rainwater collection is not completely illegal in any U.S. state in 2025, though some states have restrictions. Here's a summary of the key points:
**States with Notable Restrictions:**
1. **Colorado**
- Limited to two rain barrels with combined capacity of 110 gallons
- Can only be used for outdoor purposes
- Cannot be used for drinking or cooking
2. **Utah**
- Requires a permit for rainwater harvesting systems
- Limited to 2,500 gallons maximum collection
- Must register with the Division of Water Resources
**States with Some Restrictions or Permit Requirements:**
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- Washington
**Key Points:**
- There are no federal laws prohibiting rainwater collection
- Most states actually encourage rainwater harvesting
- Some states (like Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona) offer incentives and tax rebates
- Restrictions typically relate to:
- Collection methods
- Maximum storage capacity
- Intended use (potable vs. non-potable)
- Property rights
- Health and safety concerns
It's recommended to check with local authorities for the most current regulations, as laws can change and there may be additional local ordinances to consider.
If your state is a state with restrictions on collecting rainwater, 2025 is the year you contact your lawmakers and attempt to get some of these restrictions lifted in your state, as every American should have the right to freely collect and utilize rainwater. Some states not only have few to no restrictions, but some actually encourage and incentivize the use of collecting rainwater.
So while you are stuck indoors this frigid winter, use the time to prepare for spring and for disaster planning. Start thinking of where and how you can begin collecting rainwater for use in your gardens!
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