"Of course now I hear the government intends to regulate the collection of rainwater by forcing inspections and using meters on people's personal tanks. If caught using a collection tank unregulated and unmonitored, the penalty would be significant."

I'm sure that this is just another way to tax rainfall or to control drinking water, just like they want to control the food supply. Enforcing it, however, may be something else entirely. After all, they can't really use the National Guard, because they're in Iraq!

If I understand correctly, in Australia the government already "owns" the rainwater that falls on your property.

Sue