In uncertain times, it’s more vital than ever to have ample supplies of all of the resources you’ll want to survive, and ideally, have a method to get those resources whenever you’re out of the network.
Everyone understands how precious water is, and the conclusion that the situation will worsen before it gets higher has led to a renewed interest in rainwater harvesting systems.
Rainwater harvesting as a practice has been around for hundreds of years, but some states regulate and even prohibit rainwater. Let’s take a look at Virginia. Is rainwater harvesting illegal in Virginia?
No, collecting rainwater in Virginia just isn’t illegal. The state encourages residents to accomplish that, but has regulations for its proper use and reuse, and installed collection systems may require compliance with Chapter 13 of the Virginia Plumbing Code.
The excellent news is that you may definitely collect rainwater as a non-public citizen for various purposes in Virginia.
The bad news is that you simply still need to follow certain usage regulations, and your system may require you to follow established plumbing regulations, potentially making installation dearer or complicated than it ought to be.
But we’ll get to all of that: read on and I’ll inform you more…
Is rainwater harvesting illegal on the state level in Virginia?
No, fortunately. The state of Virginia allows residents to legally collect rainwater and use it for various purposes. The state also generally encourages practice.
However, it established regulations for the right collection, use, and reuse of rainwater within the Virginia Code 32.1-248.2.
Moreover, depending on the specifics of where you reside and the form of system you might be installing, you’ll have to put in it, and even have it inspected and approved under Chapter 13 of the Virginia Plumbing Code (VPC).
It’s not the top of the world, and it’s actually not as bad as some states, but when all you wish is a couple of rain barrels to water your garden, you’ll have more bureaucracy than you bargained for.
Is rainwater harvesting illegal on the county level?
No, generally collecting rainwater in every Virginia county I could find just isn’t illegal.
However, it’s best to know that it’s entirely possible that county and city laws could also be more stringent than state laws regarding rainwater harvesting and use, and even system style and installation!
You know that the state of Virginia is willing to permit rainwater harvesting, but you have to exercise due diligence and speak to all relevant local authorities before purchasing and installing a system and before starting collection.
If you put in a system and haven’t obtained the required permission beforehand, it’s possible you’ll be forced to remove it and should even face fines or other charges.
Under what conditions can residents collect rainwater in Virginia?
Assuming you comply with all relevant state and native laws, Virginia residents can collect rainwater anytime it rains and use it for any lawful purpose.
Once again, the Virginia state government generally encourages this practice as a technique of protection, stopping stormwater erosion, and helping to slow or stop flooding of sensitive wetlands with polluted water.
However, during emergencies or other times of emergency, local or state governments may temporarily suspend private collection if the goal is to recuperate as much water as possible back to groundwater sources.
Is there a limit to the quantity of rainwater that could be collected in Virginia?
No, there isn’t a state law that specifies how much rainwater could be harvested in any given period or how much you’ll be able to have available at a time.
That being said, you will definitely have to envision it out Chapter 13 of the Virginia Plumbing Code to make sure there are not any fools lurking for various installations, as 1301.10.1 specifies that storage tanks should be sized for his or her intended use of water. Pretty vague and never very helpful…
In addition, any tanks falling throughout the scope of Chapter 13 and its subsections should be marked with the rated capability.
What does Virginia allow residents to make use of rainwater for?
The state of Virginia generally allows residents to make use of harvested rainwater for non-potable purposes. “Non-potable purposes” means anything that just isn’t intended for drinking or human consumption.
You can definitely use rainwater to water your garden, water your crops, wash your automotive, wash your boat, wash your four-wheeler, pressurize your own home, and so forth and so forth.
But you I can not use rainwater for drinking in accordance with Chapter 13 VPC standards – which can or may not apply to your property and situation.
That said, there isn’t a explicit one state law making it unattainable to drink the collected rainwater.
However, you have to still comply with all relevant provisions of the health code, including local laws, which suggests that most often, captured, untreated rainwater is unfit for human consumption.
In addition, before counting on rainwater as even an emergency source of drinking water, it’s best to know that any rainwater you collect just isn’t protected to drink because it is: it incorporates dust, debris, and even animal excrement from every surface you are available contact with. touches before it gets into your tank.
Practically speaking, in case you are going to drink the collected rainwater, it must first be filtered and disinfected!
Does Virginia require special equipment or rainwater harvesting controls?
Yes, possible. Any rainwater harvesting system that falls under Chapter 13 of the Virginia Plumbing Code or Chapter 1303, which is generally governed by 1301, must comply with that code.
This code defines every part from the scale, support, material and design of catchment systems to storage tanks, including labeling, installation of shutoffs and valves, overflow systems, alarms and more.
That’s all In addition with any local HOA guidelines or requirements that will apply. It is strongly beneficial that you simply seek the advice of a neighborhood expert in your municipality before planning and installing a rain catcher system.
The excellent news is that Virginia commissioned many excellent design, use, adaptation and installation guides rainwater harvesting systems. It could be smart to seek the advice of them and use them for your personal project.
Does Virginia offer rainwater harvesting incentives?
Surprisingly, given how enthusiastically Virginia is about raingathering, there are not any state-level tax incentives, rebates or other financial advantages, at the very least not for individual residents.
You’d be smart to contact your local utility providers and city governments to see in the event that they offer such rebates or tax incentives.
Particularly within the Tidewater region of Virginia, any effort that may prevent excessive rainwater damage or flooding is appreciated, and it’s possible you’ll discover a financial incentive to determine your personal rainwater harvesting system.
Bottom line: Is Virginia a very good state for rainwater harvesting?
Virginia is an appropriate if not good state for rainwater harvesting.
While there are state regulations and a potentially cumbersome plumbing code to follow, the state encourages residents to interact within the practice and there are not any major obstacles (at the very least on the state level).
More importantly for self-reliant people and potential buyers of rainwater harvesting systems, Virginia receives a number of rain annually for much of the state, which suggests collecting lots of and even 1000’s of gallons of rainwater is a snap. month.
If you are lucky, it’s possible you’ll live in a spot that provides tax rebates and even rebates for installing your personal system.
