Alabama: Is It Legal to Collect Rainwater? Georgia Disagrees

Here in Alabama, rain is a little fickle.

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We'll get too much of it in the Spring, then transition to longing for it all summer just to cool things down.

It seems like almost a stupid question...but it's legal to collect rain, right? With so many rural gardens and farms, it seems like it would almost be a necessity.

But several states in the US actually have restrictions on rainwater collection. Such places include:

• California
• Colorado
• Ohio
• Nevada
• Utah
• Wisconsin

And even our neighbor Georgia!

The data website Wisevoter revealed that Georgia prohibits collecting rainwater in some areas "to ensure that water is available for downstream users and to protect water quality."

Some of these downstream users actually include big farmers, the website noted. Plus restrictions exist in some places "to ensure that water is available for other uses, such as municipal water supplies."

That makes a lot of sense.

On the flip side, some states actually INCENTIVIZE rainwater collection. Florida is the closest state with such incentives.

The website Lawnstarter noted that there are no statewide incentives in Florida. However, some counties will offer discounted rain barrel kits or rebates for installing rainwater collection units.

As for Alabama, though, it's one of those "No Restrictions" states. The land of the free and the home of the brave, I guess!

So drink responsibly.