http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-contested-rainwater18-2009mar18,0,5585599.story

Executive summary: If you live in Colorado and have a rainbarrel that collects rain and snow runoff from your roof, you are violating state law in Colorado. Precipiation is required to seep into the ground and/or flow unimpeded into the creeks for all to share, becoming the property of all.

Western states have strange water laws.

Someone needs to tell Les Stroud this, because he advocates collecting rainwater in this video clip:

http://science.discovery.com/videos/les-strouds-survival-tips-finding-clean-water.html

If you study our law's history, this is not so strange.

Remember there was, and is the concept of a 'commons' where a basic resource was shared, ie grazing land.

The 'West' has always been built largely on water, and it's lack. A good book is Cadillac Dreams.

Water is going to be the next big resource issue, far eclipsing energy (oil.)ther have already been conflicts with foriegn cmpanys buying native resources.

that States have placed such language into hte civil code is more preemtive than punitive.

I doubt, unlike our state with drought conservation history with actual enforcement, that Colorado will be sending in water SWAT temas. But, imagine a commercial enterprise setting up collection stations that takes millions of gallons in a late, 21st century scenario.

Water laws are strange things.
I bet if you have time for research you will find
a quoted means to drill your own well and use it without
having a water right. If you drill the well AND are able
to use it unchallenged for a number of years (5-7 ?)
the water right will be grandfathered to you.

"... that States have placed such language into hte civil code is more preemtive than punitive."

Actually, it's probably to gain the advantage of having the law on the books so people will get used to the idea of not being able to collect rainwater, just so certain parties can pump it out of the ground and sell it to you.

Before I left Las Vegas, they passed a law that the big casino/hotel complexes couldn't use aquifer or Lake Mead water for their lakes, water parks, golf courses and other water-based attractions. Now, there are more water-based attractions than ever before. They say they are using 'sub-surface' water. In Las Vegas. Nevada. A city in the desert, surrounded by hundreds of miles of more desert. A city with an average annual rainfall of 4.5".

Yeah.

Profit, profit, and only profit.

They don't give a fig for 'sharing'.

George Harrison was right:
"If you drive a car I'll tax the street
If you try to sit I'll tax your seat
If you get too cold I'll tax the heat
If you take a walk I'll tax your feet"

Sue (oh, dear, am I getting too cynical AGAIN?)

I wonder what they would do for greywater reusing? This is where you pipe the water from your shower or washer to a tank and use if for flushing the commode. Since you've already paid for that water can you reuse it? Though plumbing codes do have a lot of restrictions on it.

Using it to flush the commode might not be a health issue when you've flushed, but you may end up with some smelly stuff growing in the tank between flushes, and your toilet bowl would probably have a ring around it and maybe some growth, too. Depends on what you're washing and what your detergent is.

It's one of those things that sounds like a good idea, but I'd rather you test it out first. :->

The law I referred to is about collecting rainwater, which the state expects to be used for all its water needs: drinking, irrigation, etc. Re-using greywater is probably not covered under that statute. Health and plumbing codes would be the governing laws for that re-use. I don't think the state is expecting greywater in its aquifers and streams. It may be prohibited.

I am always amazed with Las Vegas, especially when looking from above using google earth. It is an incredible place. I'm pretty sure if the Borg had to abandon their cubes and live somewhere on this little blue marble then Las Vegas would surely win out over Los Angeles.

YoDuh: "If I pee'd on a rock does that mean I own the
water or does Coors?"

You must not have any dogs. (Patiently...) When you pee on a rock, you own the rock.

Sue

I wonder if you had a leaky roof and used a barrel to catch the water, would that be breaking the law?

Got some bad news for you Izzy. Before I left Florida, the counties were discussing water rights and looks like you are headed pretty much in the same direction. Pretty soon you will be using recycled water to wash your clothes, bath, flush, and if you drink from the tap, well...

This is a political thread, isn't it?

Kind of hard to separate survival and politics, as they are so closely entwined.

Sue

That was my thought as soon as I read a comment advocating regulation.