Is it illegal to harvest rainwater? Why collecting water in your yard could be against the law – and how to avoid a fine

Filling a watering can with water from a rain barrel.

Harvesting rainwater is one of the smartest ways of watering your yard. A rain barrel gives you gallons of completely free water, lessening the strain on local resources and your water bill.

But a quick Google of rain barrels can lead to some worrying results, including some that claim harvesting rainwater is illegal.