Rainwater Laws And A Rainwater Barrel

Rainwater Laws and a Rainwater Barrel

By Joseph Parish

My granddaughter Brittney was here at the house today to visit and during her stay, I suggested to Pam that I install a rainwater barrel next to the porch, so she could use it for her porch growing plants. My granddaughter mentioned that she thought it was illegal to collect rainwater, so I did some research on the topic.

I knew beforehand that some states had specific laws which prevented rainwater collecting but was surprised to learn that there were only two such states with any official rules on the subject. These laws are intended for one’s primary water supply for which I have no intentions of using it for that purpose. I have a well which has very good water in it. In fact, just this past month I had the well water tested by the state and it was found to be excellent for human use. I think even I would have concerns over someone actually using the rainwater for drinking purposes but I see nothing wrong with it for plant use.

Interestingly, the federal government with all their wisdom and desire to help us has not become involved in regulating rainwater harvesting at all, but leaves the regulation of it up to the individual states. Like my granddaughter many people view harvesting rainwater as illegal, however in just about all instances it is not.

Of all the lower 48 states only Colorado and Utah currently regulate the homeowners right to harvest and use the rain which falls from the sky. Usually, the other states have not considered regulating the rainwater or they view it positively as a method for water conservation. Let’s be real here, rainwater is a useful resource, and if it falls upon your property it should be yours to do with as you please as long as it does not interfere with your neighbor’s way of living. Delaware has no such regulations in force and it is not against the law to collect rainwater.

With that being said let’s build an inexpensive rainwater collection system. Rain barrels represent excellent ways to save water and in some cases money if you live in the city and pay a water bill. If you build your own you can save even more money on your rain barrel system. The facts speak for themselves, when for every inch of rain which falls on 500 square feet of roof, you will collect 300 gallons of water. That is a lot of water. I will now show you how you can create the most inexpensive rain barrel money can buy, all in only a few hours.

Step 1: The Materials

1 large plastic garbage can

1 tube of watertight sealant

2 rubber washers

2 metal washers

1 hose clamp

1 spigot

Drill

Landscaping fabric

Step 2: Making a Hole

Start by creating a hole near the bottom of the barrel with your drill. You will be inserting a spigot in this hole to access the rainwater. Obtain a drill bit which is the same size or slightly smaller than the spigot. Don’t cut the hole too low as you will want to place a watering can under the spigot.

Step 3: Spigot installation

On the threaded portion of the spigot place a metal washer followed by a snugly fitting rubber washer. Apply some waterproof sealant over the rubber washer. Now insert the spigot into the hole you just drilled. Allow the sealant to dry, and then on the inside of the barrel place a rubber washer, and another metal washer onto the threads of the spigot. Secure the spigot to the inside of the barrel with the hose clamp. This will prevent the spigot from coming loose from your barrel.

Step 4: The Entry and Exit Holes

Cut a hole in the lid of the barrel the size of your home's downspout to allow the water to flow into the barrel. The hole should be large enough for the water to flow from the downspout and into the barrel. Drill another hole near the top to serve as an overflow.

Step 5: Top Sealing

Cut a section of landscaping fabric to sit over the top of the barrel and place the lid over it to secure it. The fabric will create a barrier which prevents mosquitoes and bugs from gaining entrance to your rain barrel water.

Step 6: Placement of the Rain Barrel

That was simple wasn’t it? Now all that is left is to position your rain water barrel directly under your downspout. When you want water just open the spigot. If you place the rain barrel on a platform you will have more water pressure. If you connect it to a hose it will make it easier to fill up your watering cans.

Now you have an idea of our next project.

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