My parents have a rain barrel at their home for the garden. The plants love it and we don't have to worry about erosion. It's a win for everyone

Until just recently, it was illegal to collect rainwater in Utah. Now you just need a license to do it.

http://www.naturalnews.com/029286_rainwater_collection_water.html

I am in Texas, And it gets so hot, and this realy helps, when you are in a Budget. I have so many trees, and some are big, I am growning a lemon tree. and I have lots of flower's also. so this realy help's.

If you rent in Massachusetts, the landlord has to pay the water bill unless there is a separate water meter installed (I have never heard of this). The cost is, in theory, folded in to your rent -- so there is no incentive for you to capture water if you're a renter.

Just because you don't directly pay for the water does not mean it's free! If the landlord has to pay, you ARE paying for it. Your rent has to cover the landlords expenses; mortgage, utilities ( heat, electric, garbage,WATER), non homestead taxes, a cushion for repairs, etc. Oh, by the way being a landlord isn't fun-it's a business.

SFork is right; it is illegal to collect rain water in most of the western United States. Here is an excerpt from the law in Colorado: "Colorado Water Law requires that precipitation fall to the ground, run off and into the river of the watershed where it fell. Because rights to water are legally allocated in this state, an individual may not capture and use water to which he/she does not have a right." This may well be ecological, but it isn't legal. Especially if you live in an "an arid climate."

Taking away an individuals rights to rain water is like patenting air and charging people who might breathe it. It is disgusting and absolutely wrong. Corporations 'owning' such a basic thing as rain water is ridiculous.

just one drop of oil on the top takes care of this problem. laevae cannot breathe this way. I used this for years

Surprisingly this is illegal in many arid places. Please make a note of it.

Yes, it is. Rainwater belongs to everyone, you can't hoard it.

In southern states how do you keep the mosquitoes away from the rain bucket? They like to multiply in still water so its not the best thing.

just put some mosquito screen on top and you're golden.