Yes, Rainwater collection is legal in Brazil but subject to federal, state, and municipal regulations. The National Water Resources Policy (Law 9.433/1997) and the Brazilian Civil Code (Law 10.406/2002) permit private water capture, yet local authorities may impose restrictions to prevent harm to public water supplies or ecosystems. Recent 2026 compliance shifts emphasize stricter monitoring in drought-prone regions like the Northeast, where state agencies such as the Ceará Water Resources Management Company (COGERH) enforce permits for systems exceeding 10m³ storage.
Key Regulations for Rainwater Collection in Brazil
- Federal Law 9.433/1997 (Water Resources Policy): Requires authorization for rainwater harvesting systems that could impact watersheds or public water bodies, particularly in areas with water scarcity or shared basins.
- State-Level Permits: States like São Paulo (Decree 55.000/2009) and Minas Gerais (Law 23.942/2021) mandate registration for systems over 50m³, with inspections by environmental agencies such as CETESB or IGAM.
- Municipal Ordinances: Cities like Rio de Janeiro (Law 6.545/2020) and Brasília (Decree 40.715/2021) may impose additional rules, including mandatory filtration for potable use or fees for large-scale systems.
Non-compliance risks fines up to R$1 million under the Environmental Crimes Law (9.605/1998), with enforcement by IBAMA or local environmental bodies. Always verify local requirements before installation, as regulations vary by region and system scale.