Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged. Rain barrels need no permit; larger cisterns tied to interior plumbing require a plumbing permit and backflow prevention to protect potable supply.
Georgia amended its plumbing code in 2009 to allow non-potable rainwater collection for irrigation, toilet flushing, and similar uses. Atlanta does not require a permit for residential rain barrels. Larger cisterns, particularly those tied into interior plumbing or used for toilet flushing, require a plumbing permit and a cross-connection control device (backflow preventer) to protect the public water supply. The Atlanta Department of Watershed Management offers periodic rain barrel subsidies and workshops. The Chattahoochee RiverKeeper and Keep Atlanta Beautiful also promote stormwater reduction through harvesting.
Unpermitted interior cistern plumbing can result in plumbing permit violations. Cross-connection issues are a serious public health concern and may trigger stop-use orders.
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