Can Nevada gardeners collect rainwater?
As Northern Nevada’s last frost approaches, gardeners are gearing up to transplant seedlings and get plants in the ground. However, with planting comes watering. Nevada gardeners are all too aware of this as they battle the summer heat. In a state as arid as Nevada, garden watering occurs frequently. Water use escalates quickly as summer temperatures rise.
Whether to lower the environmental impact or the monthly water bill, gardener’s worldwide commonly use rain collection barrels. Yet, there is confusion. Can Nevada gardeners collect rainwater?
The answer is yes! Although, this was not always the case. Rainwater collection was illegal in Nevada until 2017. However, following the 2017 legislative session, Governor Brian Sandoval signed Assembly Bill 138. The bill amended the existing law to allowing “de minimus collection of precipitation.” (NRS 533.027)
What is “de minius collection?” Nevada statutes define “de minimus collection” to include collection from the rooftops of a single-family dwelling. The water must be used for domestic use and cannot be consumed. Including in the definition of “domestic use” is watering a family garden. (NRS 534.013). Therefore, under Nevada law, rainwater can be collected for gardening.
So, gardeners if you haven’t already, it’s time to install those rain barrels and pray for rain! Learn more about how to research your water rights here.
(Immage Source: https://www.esf.edu/ere/endreny/GICalculator/RainBarrelIntro.html)
