Summer officially shows up on Wednesday, (June 21). And if the weather we've been experiencing up to this point is any indication of what it's going to be like this summer, get prepared to sweat your butt off!

South Dakota has been known for having its fair share of scorching hot summers throughout the years, and many summers come with little or almost no precipitation.

It's not uncommon to be under a drought warning by the first of July in this state.

Get our free mobile app

Thankfully, we got somewhat of a healthy drencher here in the Sioux Falls area recently, but the yards in my neighborhood are still starting to look a little crispy.

This leads me to the question: is collecting rainwater legal in South Dakota, once Mother Nature lets it pour?

The answer to that question is a resounding, yes!

According to WorldPopulationReview.com, harvesting rainwater is absolutely legal in South Dakota. Some states, like North Dakota and Minnesota, even encourage you to do it.

Allowing people to collect rainwater on their property is actually very smart, as it helps reduce the demand on water facilities, and helps out conservation efforts.

What are some common uses for rainwater?

Well, for starters you can drink it. I wouldn't start chugging it straight out of a wooden barrel or an old garbage can if I were you. Most people who consume rainwater, install a water filtration system first, or they boil or distill it.

Believe it or not, a number of people like to use rainwater to do their laundry. According to an article in KeyLifeHomes.com, 22% of indoor water use can be attributed to washing clothes in the United States, so using a little rainwater to help offset that from time to time certainly doesn't hurt.

Probably the most common use for rainwater is to help water plants, gardens, and lawns. It's naturally designed for all of that. Just grab your trusty water can filled full of Mother Nature's H2O and give all your thirsty outdoor friends a drink.

Many people also use rainwater for pets, wildlife, and livestock. Outdoor ponds and water features, washing their vehicles, rinsing vegetables, the list goes on and on and on.

You can familiarize yourself with the legalities of collecting rainwater in your state here.

And let's continue to hope that Mother Nature gives us our unfair share this summer. I know my lawn certainly does.

Source: WorldPopulationReview/ KeyLifeHomes