People have been harvesting rain for hundreds of years, and for good reason. Whether it’s used for drinking or irrigation, having loads of water readily available is the one strategy to survive a drought or other disaster.
But after all, in our era, some state governments have seen fit to manage and even outlaw this practice. Unfortunately, it is not whilst shocking accurately.
What we want to know is whether or not rainwater is legal within the state we live in. What about Iowa? Is rainwater harvesting illegal in Iowa?
No, collecting rainwater in Iowa just isn’t illegal. The state of Iowa generally encourages good conservation practices, and rainwater harvesting is an element of that. There aren’t any state restrictions on catching rain, but local laws and codes can affect it.
There’s really nothing to complain about when it comes to Iowa’s rainwater harvesting laws, because there really are no.
Other related health code laws and guidelines may apply, however the state won’t block the installation or use of the rain catcher.
Read on and I’ll inform you the whole lot you have to know…
Is rainwater harvesting illegal on the state level in Iowa?
No, rainwater harvesting just isn’t illegal on the Iowa state level. The Iowa state government has not established any specific laws or regulations regarding the practice of rainwater harvesting.
This is nice news for Iowa residents who need to collect and use rainwater for their very own purposes, as there aren’t any legal restrictions to fret about…
While Iowa may not have any specific rain catcher laws, you continue to must abide by all related codes and regulations that will apply.
It might be something like state health codes or others’ rights to water. We’ll talk more about each of their respective sections.
Is rainwater harvesting illegal on the county level?
No, generally speaking. But there could also be county or municipal practice rules that will affect your installation or use cases. Therefore, seek the advice of your local authorities before collecting rainwater.
In some cases, counties or municipalities could have guidelines for collecting, storing and using rainwater.
There could also be restrictions on the quantity of water that might be collected, the scale of water storage containers, and other restrictions that should be followed.
In particular, on the local level, be sure you familiarize yourself with all constructing and plumbing codes that will apply to your installation.
This is very necessary in case you plan to attach your rainwater harvesting system on to your own home’s plumbing fixtures or to your garden irrigation system.
Under what conditions can residents collect rainwater in Iowa?
Iowa residents can collect rainwater in all conditions, because the state has no specific laws regarding the practice.
This signifies that homeowners can collect rainwater for their very own purposes each time it rains – since Iowa receives nearly 3 feet of rain a yr, you’ll need loads of opportunities!
But again, it is often a great idea to examine with local agencies and officials to be sure you are not breaking any relevant guidelines or restrictions: there could also be rules about collecting, or relatively not collecting, rainwater.
Typically, this will probably be in periods of utmost drought, during increased wildfire risk or ongoing wildfires, and other emergencies where authorities need to use every drop available to enhance the situation.
Also, the largest “possibly” about your right to reap rainwater is when it interferes with the water rights of others: in case you by some means collect a lot that it affects nearby properties, that might be an issue leaders are making or local can investigate further.
Is there a limit to the quantity of rainwater that might be collected in Iowa?
No, not on the state level. Iowa has no regulations regarding the quantity of rainwater that might be collected with any system.
On the surface, Iowa residents can collect as much water as they need for their very own use without worrying about breaking the law.
And you already know what I’m going to say next: keep in mind that there could also be county or city ordinances regulating the quantity of water that might be collected or the scale of storage containers!
What does Iowa allow residents to make use of rainwater for?
Iowa residents are free to make use of rainwater for quite a lot of purposes, non-potable and possibly also potable.
There aren’t any specific guidelines for what rainwater might be used for, so homeowners are free to gather it and definitely use it for any non-potable uses, equivalent to irrigation, landscaping, washing cars or outdoor equipment.
But I say “probably” since it refers to drinking or drinking purposes, as state and native health laws may apply to such use, though state law doesn’t explicitly cite and prohibit such use.
In any case, consider that while rainwater is usually secure to make use of for any non-drinking task, it just isn’t advisable to drink it without proper treatment!
Rainwater collected from any surface, including the roof or free-standing water catchment area, will probably be filled with things you don’t need to ingest, equivalent to dirt, pollutants, insects, pet waste, and other contaminants.
All of these items either contain dangerous germs or are overtly harmful, and you don’t need to drink it. As a result, rainwater should definitely be filtered and disinfected before consumption, unless you might have no other selection.
Pay special attention to local health regulations on this matter!
Does Iowa require special equipment or controls for rainwater harvesting?
NO. There aren’t any design, configuration or connection requirements. But local constructing and plumbing codes, zoning codes and more will likely be an element, so review all of them and do not forget to examine for permits if required.
Does Iowa offer incentives to reap rainwater?
Iowa doesn’t currently offer any incentives or financial advantages on the state level, though Iowa encourages its residents to interact in environmentally sustainable practices equivalent to collecting rainwater.
You might get lucky and find local tax credits, hardware incentives and more in case you look. Be sure to contact your water company if you might have one; many other states offer discounts for using rainwater for non-potable purposes.
Despite this general lack of economic profit, there are lots of practical and financial advantages to harvesting rainwater at your individual expense, so keep a watch out for the reward in case you are considering installing a system in Iowa.
Bottom line: Is Iowa a great state for rainwater harvesting?
Overall, Iowa is a reliably good state for rainwater harvesting. Iowa residents are free to gather and use rainwater with none specific state-level legal restrictions, and the state actively encourages rainwater harvesting.
You just need to examine and comply with local regulations regarding the installation of the system and the gathering and use of water.
Given the big amount of rainwater Iowa receives and the state’s support for the practice of rainwater harvesting, you need to definitely consider utilizing this sustainable and environmentally friendly practice in case you live there!
