Rainwater laws / West Virginia
Is it legal to collect rainwater in West Virginia?
Checked at West Virginia's own statutes and agencies, November 2026. Not legal advice.
Allowed
Yes. We found no West Virginia law limiting it, and the state DEP promotes rain barrels for outdoor use.
What the rules say
- WVDEP: rain barrel water "should never be used for drinking, cooking or other potable uses."
Before you buy a big tank
State law is only one layer. Cities and counties can set their own rules, especially for tanks plumbed into the house, and an HOA can limit where a barrel sits. Drinking rainwater needs treatment everywhere. For a barrel or two on a downspout for the garden, the state rule above is usually the one that matters.
Where the numbers come from
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