Catching Rainwater for the Cows

I read in some states it is illegal to capture rainwater.  I searched the Internet and found the following:

Louisiana does not prohibit rainwater harvesting but there are city wide statues against water cisterns, dating back to hundred years ago when yellow fever was around. 

So it appears we're all good.  While we have a 150 gallon water trough for the cows and goats that is connected to our rural water system and stays full with a float valve, we wanted to catch some rain water, too.  Maybe we're crazy (that is certainly plausible), but it seems like the cows enjoy drinking rainwater more than water treated with chlorine.  Although I did read somewhere that after a short time exposed to sunlight and open air, the chlorine dissipates quickly.

We had two extra water troughs that have slight leaks in them, even after repeated patching.  I had one of them in the garden catching rainwater to water the garden with, but with all the rain we've had for the past two years, I really haven't had to water the garden.  I put one of the troughs on the north side of the barn where it catches the rainwater runoff.

And I put the other on the south side of the barn in a similar spot under the roof overhang.  After a good rain, we can catch over 100 gallons.  I was thinking about installing a cheap PVC gutter system, but it would fill the troughs in no time at all.  Bottom line, it's not worth the money and this works out fine as it is.

It is a little hard to see, but in the photo above, you can see Rosie stopping to drink fresh water after evening feedings.  They like the convenience.  We like the fact that we're able to catch some rain and use it versus having it flow off the property.  Our monthly water bill averages about $34.  Water is inexpensive and this is not really going to save us much money, but we still feel like it is a good thing to do.