The New York Times reported yesterday that rain water collection is now legal in Colorado. Because of archaic western state laws, dating back to the days of prospecting and homesteading, people were not legally allowed to collect rainwater in the state because it would infringe on the water rights of landowners. Right now, rain collection laws are still in place in other states like Utah and Washington. This is especially crazy for Utah, that has some of the driest areas in the country. In New Mexico, in some areas, rainwater collection is actually mandatory.
In all these states there has been a semi-black market for rain water collection equipment for years. Store owners could not talk about the real use for what rain water collection "paraphernalia" that they sold. Many residents had secret collection systems and knew they could possibly get heavily fined or even arrested for it. Those days are, luckily, over those in Colorado. Hopefully these other states with bizarre rainwater laws will update their legislation. Rainwater should be shared by all. After all, everyone needs water.
photo credit: Magyarmom2001 from flickr
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