SB851 prohibits local governments from mandating that owners of Tier 4 rainwater harvesting systems connect to municipal water supplies. This law ensures that individuals using advanced rainwater collection systems can remain independent of public water utilities, even in areas where local ordinances might otherwise require such connections. It also prevents localities from penalizing or condemning properties solely because they rely on these self-sufficient water systems.

The Virginia State Senate passed SB851 on January 31, 2025 by a vote of 40 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because this bill protects homeowners from being forced to connect to government-controlled water systems. SB851 reinforces the fundamental principle that individuals have the right to control and use their private property without undue interference. This aligns with the Fourth Amendment, which guards against unreasonable government intrusion; the Fifth Amendment, which prohibits the government from depriving individuals of property without due process or just compensation; and the 14th Amendment, which extends those protections to actions by state and local governments.