WHEREAS, rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting and storing rainwater from rooftops or other surfaces for later use, providing a sustainable and decentralized approach to meeting water needs for both potable and non-potable purposes; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has taken an important step in advancing this practice through the passage of House Bill 192 and Senate Bill 851, which legalized and established guidelines for rainwater harvesting in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, rainwater harvesting systems provide substantial benefits for water supply and wastewater subsystems and can help reduce water supply costs for Virginia residents; and

WHEREAS, rainwater harvesting helps reduce demand on public water systems, conserve groundwater, protect watersheds, and promote environmental stewardship; and

WHEREAS, this practice can provide communities, schools, and public facilities with a reliable supplemental fresh water source, improve resilience during droughts, and encourage sustainable water management; and

WHEREAS, rainwater harvesting can help mitigate excessive pollution from stormwater runoff, which can lead to severe health and environmental concerns; and

WHEREAS, educational outreach and implementation efforts are underway across the Commonwealth to inform Virginians about the benefits of rainwater harvesting and the ways they can participate;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 14–20, 2025, as RAIN HARVESTING AWARENESS WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.