Collecting rainwater for plants is a great way to save money and keep your garden green. Here in Georgia, we don’t often go through droughts like other parts of the country (not to say we never do) so collecting rainwater seems like a natural thing that we can do for the benefit of our plants and our pocketbooks.

Rainwater harvesting is not a new concept. In fact, it has been in use for centuries all over the world! But what’s really cool about rain water harvesting? It doesn’t just lower your monthly utility bill – it also helps to reduce storm runoff and pollution that can damage streams, rivers and our oceans.

The Best Way To Collect Rainwater Is With Rain Barrels

Buy them or make your own and place them outside your home. You can also create a pipe system that allows water from your gutters to drain into a rain barrel. Since you will be using this water for plants there’s no need to add any type of filtration system.

You are simply collecting rainwater to use at a later date when there is no rain in the forecast.

If you live in an apartment or townhouse you can go even simpler and just collect your rainwater in buckets, pots, etc and then use them for your outdoor plants.

Should I Collect Rainwater For My Plants?

You think you’re doing your plants a favor by using rainwater, but there’s more to it than that.

Did you know that rain water contains salts and minerals? It also has fewer chemicals and pharmaceuticals which are found in well water because of the treatment process.

Rainwater tends to be way more pure than tap water, city or well. Rain contains few salts, minerals, treatment chemicals or pharmaceuticals often  found in municipal tap water. – statesmanjournal.com

So, yes, you should collect rainwater for your plants. They will thank you for it!

In Which States Is It Illegal To Collect Rainwater?

Although the federal government has no restrictions on rainwater harvesting, individual states do.

In Georgia, the collection of rainwater is legal as long as the water is used only for outdoor purposes. But that is not the case in every state in the USA.

There is currently only 1 state that heavily restricts rainwater harvesting and that state is Utah. Although other states have regulations (like Georgia does) they do not have laws that make it illegal to collect rainwater on your property.

Let’s take a look at a summary of regulations in Georgia and our neighboring states.

Alabama

The folks in Alabama can collect all the rainwater they want and use it for whatever they want. There are no regulations or laws at all against rainwater harvesting.

Florida

The sunshine state where it rains quite a bit has no regulations or restrictions and is actually high encouraged.

Georgia

Rainwater harvesting is legal but regulated. As long as the rainwater is used for outdoor purposes only – a homeowner can begin rainwater harvesting.

Tennessee

In the state of Tennessee – residents can legally collect rainwater and use it for “green infrastructure practices”. Which basically means they can use it for outdoor purposes.

North Carolina

Although it’s legal, it’s a little more complicated to collect water in North Carolina due to the regulations. They have rules on how it can be collected and how much can be collected.

South Carolina

Just like Florida, the folks in South Carolina can legally harvest rainwater and the state actually encourages them to do so.

Here is a summary of the rainwater harvesting regulations in each state.

We encourage you to research the information for your specific state before you begin saving rainwater for your needs.

How Do I Store Rain Water For My Garden?

When you know you’re going to be in a period of time where there will be several days of rain then you may want to store some of that water to leave room in your rain barrel or pots and containers to collect more water.

You can take the water from wherever you are collecting rainwater and then put that water into jugs to leave more room in the barrel for more water.

If you have any questions about rainwater harvesting call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.