Who owns the rain?

摘要

Rainfall is a diffuse and natural resource that falls on all land surfaces as part of the hydrologic cycle. Harvesting rainwater is a physical process that requires landowners to manage the impacts on downstream users. In many cities, this practice is gaining new visibility as a means to control wet weather management needs and provide cost-effective, sustainable stormwater management solutions. However, water rights precedents and allocation practices can establish legal constraints that may limit the ability of property owners to harvest the rainwater that falls on their property.