The legal ins and outs of a sustainable landscaping solution
There was a time when watering your lawn meant racking up high water bills and straining the water supplies of drought-prone cities like Bryan and College Station. Thanks to some recent legal and technological changes, however, this is no longer the case. Let’s take a look at how the legalities of rainwater collection have evolved and whether it’s time for you to invest in a rainwater retaining system for your property.
Is It Legal to Collect Rainwater in Texas?
It’s generally legal to set up a rainwater catchment system in Texas, including in the communities of Bryan and College Station. This is due to a relatively simple legal framework that forms the foundation of water rights within the state. Unlike many other jurisdictions, Texas limits the state’s control of water resources to natural surface waterways like rivers, streams and creeks. Until it enters such a waterway, rainwater doesn’t fall under the purview of state control.
Accordingly, property owners throughout the state are permitted to use the rainwater that falls on their properties. Note that this doesn’t give you the right to catch water that would have fallen on another person’s property. However, a rainwater collection system allows you to capture and store rain during wet periods for use during drier stretches.
A Look at Rainwater Collection in Other Areas
In some other states, including Colorado, the state exercises more control over water resources. These jurisdictions use a more expansive definition of “waterway,” applying the term to any water that would naturally enter a surface waterway. Under this construction, water that falls on the roofs of homes—or into rainwater catchment systems—is part of a waterway and can’t legally be harnessed or controlled.
ABC Home & Commercial Services: Your One-Stop Source for Home Efficiency and Sustainable Landscaping in Bryan and College Station
Your lawn doesn’t have to be known as a neighborhood water hog. You really can have it both ways with a beautiful lawn that doesn’t run the city’s wells dry. If you’re ready to take the plunge and invest in a rainwater collection system that sustainably waters and feeds your lawn, give us a call at (979) 361-0500 or fill out our online contact form to explore your options today.