Proposition 72 was passed in June of 2018 to exclude rainwater harvesting systems from property tax reassessment in California.
The California Proposition 72, Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessments Amendment, passed this June 2018 with 83.28% of the vote. (Link to Prop 72)
Previously, the California AB-1750 Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 put the ability the collect and store rainwater for domestic and potable use into law. AB-1750 also provides that rainwater captured off of building rooftops doesn’t require filing for a water rights permit.
“California AB-1750 (c) Rainwater and stormwater, captured and properly managed, can contribute significantly to local water supplies by infiltrating and recharging groundwater aquifers, thereby increasing available supplies of drinking water. In addition, the onsite capture, storage, and use of rainwater for non-potable use significantly reduce demand for potable water, contributing to the statutory objective of a 20-percent reduction in urban per capita water use in California by December 31, 2020.” (Link to AB-1750)
Prop 72 expands State support for rainwater harvesting by excluding installing a system from property tax reassessment starting January 1, 2019. This isn’t a direct financial incentive but it does prevent any property taxes from increasing from a rainwater system. State Senator Steve Glazer backed the proposition after being inspired by seeing a resident use a rainwater system to supply for their domestic water usage.
Rainwater systems are extremely successful in other areas in saving utility water, reducing water waste and decentralizing water distribution. In Tucson, Arizona the Tucson Water Utilities’ research found that 720 homeowners in their rebate program saved an average of 748 gallons each, per month with rainwater harvesting. (Link to article)
Encouraging California residents and businesses to change or alleviate their water source with rainwater collection could help the ongoing water crisis as it has in Texas. Rainwater is soft water with a neutral pH, which is great for growing plants and drinking. It’s easier to filter than groundwater and doesn’t require a permit like water diversion does. Once a system is set up with low maintenance, your rooftop becomes a virtually clean, drinkable free water source.
We offer BPA free water storage for rainwater systems, and beyond. Our tank liner is NSF 61 certified for drinking water and has a 65-year lifespan.
It’s legal to collect rainwater off of a roof for beneficial use and doesn’t require a water rights permit in California. Rainwater is renewable, clean, soft water with the perfect ph for cannabis cultivation.
It’s been completely legal in California to collect rainwater off of a building roof since the AB-1750 Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 came into fruition. On top of this progressive statute, California recently passed the California Proposition 72, Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessments Amendment.
This amendment excludes rainwater systems from property tax reassessment, starting January 1, 2019. For cannabis cultivators, these initiatives extend in making permitting easier when your water source is rainwater collection.
Unlike with surface water diversion, or water wells, rainwater collection for cannabis doesn’t require a water rights permit. You just need a rainwater system that can supply enough water for the cultivation production that you are applying for.
“Rainwater catchment systems collect runoff from rooftops which are then stored for later use. Since collecting rainwater in this way does not require additional state permitting, it is a cost-effective solution to meeting some of your water needs.” – The Humboldt County Planning and Building Department (Link)
The quality of the rainwater depends on the roofing material, and location of your system. Typical rainwater systems include pre-tank filtration as well as more filtration before the rainwater is used.
Using rainwater for cannabis (or growing in general) has many advantages, besides easier permitting.
1. Rainwater is soft water. It’s free of the salts, minerals, treatment chemicals, and pharmaceuticals that are found in municipal water, groundwater, and surface water. Salts and chemicals can build up in your soil over time and these residues are tough on plants.
2. Rainwater has a slightly acidic ph. Organically grown plants prefer soil pH levels between 5.5 and 6.5. This is on the acidic side of the neutral pH 7, and by nature’s design, it is the exact pH range for rainwater.
3. Rain contains nitrates, an important macronutrient. Nitrates are the most bioavailable form of nitrogen. Nitrogen is one of the three key macro-nutrients that plants need to thrive.
4. Collecting rainwater off of a building roof is renewable, reduces the distance between the source of your water and use, and is proven to reduce stress on groundwater resources.
Some growers have noted that they sometimes need to add minerals to filtered rainwater, but it depends on your specific setup, system and watering needs. Water is one of the most important factors when it comes to growing cannabis successfully so testing is necessary to ensure the biggest buds.
Sources:
California Proposition 72, Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessments Amendment (June 2018)
