Water is one of the crucial crucial resources on our planet, and accordingly people have been collecting and using rainwater for 1000’s of years. However, in some states there are regulations on this common sense practice, or it’s even illegal entirely. So, how about Missouri? Is it illegal to gather rainwater in Missouri?
No, it just isn’t illegal to gather rainwater in Missouri so long as you aren’t breaking another state or local laws. Though there are not any state regulations on the practice, local laws and codes still apply and might affect your usage.
Definitely excellent news right up front. Some states have particularly onerous rainwater statutes, with hefty fines and penalties for collecting it without following their edicts to the letter. But you don’t must worry about that in Missouri!
Even so, there may be more to know before you begin, so in this text I’ll let you know what it’s essential to know when collecting rainwater in Missouri…
Is Collection of Rainwater Illegal on the State Level in Missouri?
No, the gathering of rainwater just isn’t illegal on the state level in Missouri, and no specific regulations issued by the state government.
While many states have strict regulations around rainwater harvesting to guard public water supplies, Missouri is exclusive in that it generally encourages residents to gather rainwater as a method to conserve water resources but doesn’t give much guidance or restriction either way.
However, it can be crucial to notice that while rainwater collection is allowed in Missouri the practice cannot violate another state or local laws, or infringe on the water rights of other residents.
Is Collection of Rainwater Illegal on the County Level?
No, to my knowledge no county in MO makes rainwater harvesting illegal outright. But it is possible for some counties or municipalities to impose their very own regulations, standards and codes on the practice. In these cases, their guidelines are more stringent than what the state’s!
Therefore, before organising a harvesting system, residents should research local county and municipal regulations to make sure they’re in compliance. In some cases, folks might have to acquire permits or meet certain requirements to be able to legally install a rainwater collection system on their property, or to start out collecting water.
It’s also value noting that even when there are not any specific regulations or permits required for raincatching systems specifically, you need to still take care to put in your system properly to make sure it complies with local constructing or plumbing codes.
Under What Conditions Can Citizens Collect Rainwater in Missouri?
In general, residents in Missouri are allowed to gather rainwater at any time and for whatever reason they need, so long as all applicable laws are followed.
However, be prepared for local or state authorities to issue stoppages or temporary bans on the practice in times of drought, above- or below-ground water source depletion, wildfire risk, and more.
In some cases, local authorities may restrict or limit the quantity of water you might be allowed to gather during these events. Not necessarily likely, but possible. More on that next…
Is There a Limit on How Much Rainwater You Can Collect in Missouri?
No, there isn’t any state standard or law regarding the quantity of rainwater that will be collected by Missouri residents. That said, once more local laws may impose limitations on how much water you may collect during a time period or in total.
In these cases, it can be crucial to abide by the laws and any lawful orders to avoid any potential fines or charges. If you’re unsure about what your county or municipality allows, it’s best to contact local authorities to be able to ensure you might be inside compliance.
What Does Missouri Allow Citizens to Use Rainwater For?
Missouri generally allows residents to gather and use rainwater for non-potable purposes reminiscent of outdoor watering, flushing toilets, washing cars, and irrigating gardens.
It’s essential to indicate that while there isn’t any state law saying the collected rainwater can’t be used as drinking water, additionally it is likely that doing so, without appropriate treatment to make sure it’s secure for human consumption, will violate local and/or state health codes, and thus might be illegal.
And let’s talk shop here for one second: I do know that nothing seems purer or safer than rainwater when considering a natural source of drinking water, but the truth of the situation says otherwise. Unless your rainwater fell straight from the sky right into a sterile container, it isn’t all that clean. Collected rainwater will likely be stuffed with debris like leaves, bird and mouse droppings, and bugs that may contain harmful germs. Safer than pond water, sure, but still a hazard.
Naturally, you need to install an appropriate filtration and disinfection system should you plan on using collected rainwater for potable reasons, and research the varied regulations and native ordinances on doing so in your town.
Does Missouri Require Special Equipment or Inspection for Rainwater Collection?
No. The State of Missouri doesn’t require residents to make use of any specific equipment for rainwater collection.
Once again, local laws may and can likely vary, to incorporate codes for installation, inspection, permitting and design. You will probably must follow all the identical constructing and plumbing codes that you simply would when installing any related equipment on your own home.
Additionally, some insurance firms may require documentation of proper installation and maintenance of the system to be able to cover any damage or liability claims related to the rainwater collection system.
Does Missouri Offer Incentives for Rainwater Collection?
Missouri currently doesn’t offer any incentives for rainwater collection, despite the general enthusiasm the federal government shows for getting residents into the act.
While another pro-collection states offer tax credits or other incentives for residents to put in their rainwater collection systems, Missouri has not yet implemented any.
This lack of incentives could possibly be as a consequence of the proven fact that Missouri already has abundant water resources in comparison with other states, which can not make rainwater collection as urgent of a priority, practically, and more of a “green” initiative for political or ethical reasons.
Additionally, Missouri has a novel regulatory landscape that generally doesn’t require specific permits or regulations for this practice.
However, don’t let this lack of incentives discourage you; it still has huge preparedness and financial advantages!
Bottom Line: Is Missouri a Good State for Rainwater Collection?
Oh yes. Despite the dearth of incentives for rainwater collection, Missouri is a very good state for this practice as a consequence of its generally supportive and unrestrictive regulatory environment.
While folks must pay attention to local regulations and take precautions to make sure their system is installed to code and maintained properly, Missouri’s overall encouragement of rainwater collection combined with numerous rain, yearly, makes this an appealing option for preppers or anyone trying to conserve water and maintain their very own grid-down bulk water supply.
This is one state I feel is true no-brainer for raincatching…
