As water flows off your roof during the next rainstorm, it's not just disappearing down the downspout, it's potential money and opportunity washing away. For homeowners facing rising water bills and growing environmental concerns, rainwater harvesting offers a smart solution that can capture this gift right from your rooftop.

Water scarcity affects communities across the globe, and residential landscape irrigation accounts for nearly 9 billion gallons daily in the United States alone. When an average American family uses over 300 gallons of water each day—with 30% dedicated to outdoor activities—capturing free rainwater could be a money-saving strategy as well as an environmental benefit.

Is it Legal to Collect Rainwater?

The good news is that rainwater harvesting is legal in most of the United States. The federal government doesn't regulate rainwater collection, leaving individual states to determine their own laws. This means 46 out of the lower 48 states either don't regulate rainwater harvesting at all or actively encourage it as a water conservation method.

However, two states maintain restrictions that are worth noting. Colorado has the most restrictive laws, allowing residents to collect only two rain barrels with a maximum capacity of 110 gallons total. This water can only be used for outdoor purposes like car washing and lawn watering. These restrictions stem from a 120-year-old law based on the idea that collected rainwater might otherwise flow downstream to someone else's water supply.

Utah allows collection of up to 2,500 gallons but requires a permit for any rainwater harvesting system.

On the progressive side, states like Texas, California, and North Carolina actively encourage rainwater harvesting. Texas offers tax incentives and sales tax exemptions for rainwater harvesting systems, while California generally has no regulations preventing water collection except for large-scale projects like swimming pools.

Many areas have specific requirements for container types, filtration systems, or permits that you'll need to follow. Before starting your rainwater harvesting project, check your local ordinances to ensure your system complies. 

Pros and Cons of Harvesting Rainwater

Benefits

Rainwater harvesting offers several advantages that make it an attractive option for environmentally conscious homeowners:

• Reduces water bills by providing free water for irrigation and outdoor cleaning
• Promotes water conservation by reducing demand on municipal water supplies
• Improves plant health since rainwater is naturally soft and free from chemicals like chlorine
• Decreases stormwater runoff which helps prevent flooding and reduces pollution in local waterways
• Provides energy savings because less energy is needed to treat and transport municipal water
• Offers emergency water supply during droughts or water restrictions
• Requires minimal maintenance once properly installed
• Reduces soil erosion by managing water flow around your property

Potential Drawbacks

Like any home improvement project, rainwater harvesting comes with some challenges to consider:

• Depends on unpredictable rainfall which can limit water availability during dry spells
• Requires upfront investment for tanks, gutters, and filtration systems
• Needs regular maintenance to prevent clogs and ensure water quality
• Limited storage capacity means you can't collect unlimited amounts of water
• Potential for mosquito breeding if systems aren't properly sealed and maintained
• May attract wildlife if storage tanks aren't properly secured
• Installation requires some technical skills though many systems are DIY-friendly

Consider your local rainfall patterns, water costs, and environmental priorities to decide if a rainwater harvesting system is right for you. If you live in an area with regular rainfall and high water bills, rainwater harvesting could pay for itself within a few years while providing ongoing environmental benefits.

Building Your First Rainwater Collection System

Creating a rainwater harvesting system is more straightforward than you might think. With the right materials and a systematic approach, you can have your system collecting water in a weekend. While this isn't a detailed construction guide, here are the basic steps to setting up a rainwater collection system:

Materials and Tools Needed

• For a basic rainwater collection system, you'll need
• Rain barrel or storage tank (50-1,000+ gallon capacity)
• Gutters and downspouts properly sized for your roof area
• Leaf screens or guards to filter debris from gutters
• First flush diverter to redirect initial dirty water
• PVC pipe and fittings for water conveyance
• Spigot or valve for water access
• Overflow fitting to handle excess water
• Screen mesh to cover all openings
• Level for proper tank placement
• Basic plumbing tools including pipe cutter and wrench set
• Irrigation components to water your lawn or garden with your collected rainwater

Step-by-Step Installation

Step 1: Choose Your Location

Select a level area near your downspout where your storage tank will sit. The ground should be stable and able to support the weight of a full tank—remember that water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon.

Step 2: Install Gutter Guards

Add leaf screens to your gutters to prevent large debris from entering your collection system. 

Step 3: Set Up the First Flush Diverter

Install a first flush diverter to redirect the first portion of rainfall, which contains dust, pollen, and other contaminants from your roof, before clean water enters your storage tank.

Step 4: Connect the Conveyance System

Run PVC pipe from your downspout to your tank, maintaining a continuous downward slope so gravity assists water flow.

Step 5: Install Overflow and Access Points

Add an overflow fitting that's the same size or larger than your inflow to prevent water from backing up. Install a spigot or valve at the appropriate height for easy water access.

TIP: Keep your storage tank covered and screened to prevent mosquito breeding and contamination. Regular maintenance includes cleaning gutters, checking for clogs in your first flush diverter, and inspecting tank screens.

Integrating Irrigation Components

Rain Bird's commitment to the The Intelligent Use of Water™ makes our products the ideal partners for your rainwater harvesting system. Rain Bird components are designed to maximize efficiency and help you get the most from every gallon you collect.