California $75 Rebate on Rainwater Barrels
 

came across this,

Rain Barrels

Not too long ago collecting rainwater was illegal in CA. Now they're subsidizing it. How times change.......

It was illegal? Wow that is crazy... here in Alabama our extension system has always been big on conservation. I always found it ironic that states like CA are thought of as being the most "green" minded. Yet Alabama has some of the best conservation education programs you can find. Although, I think it depends on what part of both states your looking in lol.

Western states had some interesting ideas in regards to water "rights". As if anyone else has any right to a rain drop that falls on my property!

Yeah, it's very strange thing that I can never understand!
Rainwater is a free gift to all and who is to say what?

Back to the main topic, I feel very worried about the future of California which is getting drier and drier.
Hopefully they will come up with some great ideas.
It is a highly prosperous state that contributes a lot to the country.

We have NO rain to fill the barrows with.

I don't know what I'm talking about but the prohibition might be due to concerns about refilling the aquifers. Just speculating.

I still can't have rain barrels in my area. Not that it would do much good. I couldn't even fill a barrel.

I think AnonYMouse is close.
The reasoning I hear is that collecting will divert water from our aquifers.

They just raised our water again, and now I can't water my yard till after dark.
Which I do anyway. But it's still concerning.
I'm looking to replace my lawn this year. Traditional sod just isn't practical.

I wonder about the net impact of bottled water on California - is more taken out ( of the ground ) than brought in ?

Well since Nestle has been taking water for 27 years out of a National Forest on an expired permit, things are going to change.

Forest Service: Expired Nestle water permit a priority

Agriculture in California is the main reason for drying up aquifers. Now they are drilling deeper and deeper.
As if drying up river isn't enough.