eom

Mind if I ask how much yours cost and can they be hooked to more. I'm looking at a system for about 1,000 galons. Much like solar panels, In Tucson this is just common sense and I could probably fill a system in one good Monson rain.

We are working hard to change that in Colorado, but if you live out West, you would likely know that interstate water compacts define every damned drop of water in the region.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27723629/rooftop-rainwater-collection-bill-easily-clears-colorado-committee

So, no... those who tell you there are legal restrictions are NOT crazy.

But that law is ending soon if it hasn't already.
I debate people who claim is illegal in their state when in fact is not. And they keep arguing. I have to post a link to their state website showing is okay. I've given up trying to convince the clueless.

Just be accurate, please. Your phrasing in your OP was NOT and the head-smacking emoticon a bit inapropriate. WE who are fighting to change this are ANYTHING BUT "clueless"...

I'm talking about people, in spite of the facts, keep arguing it's illegal. Sorry for any confusion.

There's no federal ban, and most states do not have a statewide ban.

Now you just have to cover regional, county, and municipal laws. Then you also have to cover covenants like HOAs.

Just because you link to a site where a guy says "I didn't see anything about rainwater when I looked a little" doesn't actually mean there are no regulations. Either missed by them or applied at a lower level.

However the big scare on the Internet that it is illegal is many times over way exaggerated.
Please let us know where all these illegal regulations are if you find them.

I worry about "stuff" that might be in the runoff from my roof. I live in a very dry zone where it only rains about once a month and I don't have any way to set up a system like yours but I'd like to just set some buckets around to gather some water for my garden. Do you think that is safe to do?

TIA

there is nothing to worry about....and I don't even know if there is a problem if they are new.

This water is not for drinking anyways, it is used in gardens or lawns, and the plants will take up the water needed from the soil, and leave anything that you would be worried about. But if you are worried, water plants that you will not be eating from the rain barrel, although I bet this water is better than the chemical laden tap water.

Last edited Mon May 11, 2015, 01:25 AM - Edit history (1)

No problem with the runoff.... composite shingles shed a bit but my fine screened basket filter catches it.
If it hasn't rained in awhile I here the blower on the roof and gutter.
This water is fine for watering garden and landscaping. Plants love it.

My ex used to use rain water from our shingled roof to water his dogs. They all died of cancer, and the vet said he thought it was because of the chemicals from the shingles that got into the water. So use it cautiously.

I do not have one yet, but have considered it for years. Many people here have problems with them because we get so much rain. Larger size barrels would be a help. What happens with it when you get so much rain that the barrel is full?

I hook a drainage tube to it and fill a trashcan. When that fills it goes on the ground.

(i.e., I wouldn't do the necessary maintaining) I decided to go with a passive system (since my lawn gets flood irrigation with reclaimed water, it would only water my xeriscape):

1st rain after install:

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[url=http://postimage.org/]front[/url]

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[url=http://postimage.org/]back[/url]

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[url=http://postimage.org/]out of focus "rain of the century" from Sept 2014[/url]

It doesn't catch everything from the roof but it gets a significant portion. Most of what it doesn't get goes on the yard (it gets everything that would run off onto concrete)

... at home since 1999.

I have two (2) 1,500-gallon poly tanks that are 1/2 buried in the ground behind my garage.

I tend to run low in late-July early-August and February.

My biggest consumption is for laundry, and if I found an alternative source for laundry water (I have a plan) I would never run low for my day to day domestic use.

I live in NY, so no legal restrictions at the State level (yet).


Photos to come.

...I forgot that I said I would post some photos.

I will work on putting some links and references together along with a brief summary of my experience(s) and my current project to supplement my RwH system.

NG

RETHUGS blocked the attempt to remove restrictions at the end of the legislative session. Gawd, some days I really really really hate Republicans.

I'd like to read about this. Thanks

to solar and wind energy without having to hear the weird right wing spin on so many of the sites online. That is annoying and gets tiresome after a while.