Madison actively encourages rainwater harvesting and offers Rain Barrel rebates through the Water Utility and Engineering Stormwater programs. Residential collection is not regulated at the state level in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin has no state-level restriction on residential rainwater harvesting, unlike some western states with prior appropriation doctrine. Madison Water Utility and City Engineering Stormwater Services promote rain barrels, cisterns, and rain gardens as sustainability best practices. The city occasionally runs rebate programs (typically 35 to 50 dollars per barrel) through partnerships with the Rain Barrel Sale event and RainReserve. Harvested rainwater may be used for outdoor irrigation, ornamental ponds, and landscape use. It cannot be connected to potable plumbing without backflow prevention per WI Plumbing Code SPS 382. Larger cisterns used for non-potable indoor uses (toilet flushing) require a plumbing permit. The city also offers Terrace Rain Garden and Greening Greater Madison programs that may include rain barrel components in neighborhood-scale stormwater projects.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Madison, WI
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See how Madison's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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