Committee approves bill loosening water harvesting restrictions

The Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee unanimously approved a bill on Wednesday morning loosening the restrictions on a practice known as "water harvesting."

SB128, sponsored by Sen. Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, would allow an individual to collect up to 2500 gallons of rainwater for use on their personal property without a state permit, as is now required.

Jenkins described the practice as "quite an industry that's evolving around the world" and said it was "big in parts of the country with a lot of rain."

Some questions about enforcement provisions, mosquito control and allowances for larger households remained unanswered, but Jenkins assured the committee that he would resolve these issues before the bill is considered by the full Senate.

E-MAIL: dservatius@desnews.com