Rainwater harvesting is legal in Fort Wayne with no state restriction. Residents may collect roof runoff in rain barrels for outdoor use. Potable reuse requires ISDH approval.
Indiana law allows unrestricted residential rainwater harvesting for outdoor irrigation, landscape use, and car washing. Fort Wayne does not require a permit to install a rain barrel or above-ground cistern serving residential landscape use. Rain barrels should be screened to prevent mosquito breeding (a requirement under the Allen County Department of Healths vector-control rules). Larger underground cisterns and any system connected to a building plumbing system for non-potable indoor use (toilet flushing, laundry) require a plumbing permit and backflow preventer under the Indiana Plumbing Code. Using harvested rainwater as potable water requires Indiana State Department of Health approval and appropriate filtration and disinfection. Downspout disconnection programs have been promoted by City Utilities to reduce combined sewer overflows in the older parts of the city.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Fort Wayne's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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