Is it Legal to Collect Rainwater in Idaho?

Get ready for the most ‘well, duh’ statement ever uttered. In Idaho, things get quite dry in the summer. Water comes into play as a major cooling necessity. Splash pads are a welcome oasis for city folk. Running sprinklers during peak heat to keep kids happy outside is not uncommon. Public swimming pools as well as rivers and lakes become inundated with individuals needing a break from the heat.

Water is not only an excellent way for people to stay cool, but it also keeps our food growing. Without our awesome irrigation systems, much of our area would be sagebrush, cactus, and dry grasses. Conserving water should be on everyone’s mind. How to save water can depend on the state we live in.

How Can Idaho Homeowners Save Rain Water?

When clouds get too heavy with water, it falls out of the sky. Sometimes this water is in the form of raindrops. Some raindrops fall on people’s roofs and can run down into the ground or down the street unless it gets collected in a barrel.

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Idahoans who own a home with a roof, gutters, and downspouts can participate in rainwater collection. Homeowners aren’t collecting every bit of water that falls on the entire property, just what falls onto the roof. Should be theirs, right? Not in all states.

What States Regulate Rainwater Collection for Homeowners?

Some states offer incentives so water users consume less from the local system. Cool. Others have restrictions to protect water rights, water quality, or endangered species. All those things are understandable. Relieve the water pressure by not living in those states.

It seems like a strange idea to not be allowed to collect the water that falls on your own home. Idaho has no restrictions or incentives.