Rain barrels up for debate

The rain barrel bill

A bill currently in the Colorado house, HB 16-1005, would allow homeowners to collect rainwater to use for outdoor purposes such as gardening. Homeowners would be allowed to collect rain in two 55-gallon barrels for a total capacity of 110 gallons. The collected water would not be allowed for drinking or for other indoor purposes.

The bill is being sponsored by Democrat representatives Daneya Esgar for District 46 in Pueblo, and District 24 Rep. Jessie Danielson, representing Golden and Wheat Ridge.

Where it’s at

The bill passed the House of Representatives last year on March 23, but time expired on it when it reached the senate.

This year a public hearing took place on Feb. 22. On that date, it passed the Colorado House Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources committee with a vote of 10-2. It passed unanimously on Feb. 29, setting up a third and final reading before the house.

If the bill’s third hearing also passes, it will go to the Colorado senate for approval. If the bill passes both chambers, it goes to the Governor’s desk to be vetoed or signed into law.

Argument

Opponents last year also cautioned that collecting rainwater could have negative impacts on downstream users. However, Colorado State University recently conducted a study that concluded “allowing 100 gallons of rainwater storage per household will not decrease surface runoff by any detectable amount on a typical lot.”

This year, Republican Rep. Don Coram of District 58 representing Montrose and Cortez, was one of only two ‘nay’ votes on Feb. 22.

“We needed the safeguards (against injury) in place,” Coram said. “That was my whole objection to it last week.”

According to Danielson, it encourages conservation, and makes sense not to use drinking water for lawns. Most people can’t believe collecting rain water to use on their lawns or in their gardens is illegal, Danielson added. She says people in Jefferson County support the bill “overwhelmingly.”

“If it encourages just a little water conservation, it helps everybody,” Danielson said.

Coram added that he believes the senate will approve the bill as well.

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