This Tucson residence was a barren dirt lot, where rainwater runoff from adjacent properties created a backyard flood during monsoons. TFS designed a water harvesting design for this site to regrade, create catchment basins, and direct passive roof runoff in a way that turned the excess stormwater from a problem to a low-maintenance irrigation solution. Gravel was incorporated in open spaces to reduce soil erosion, and wood mulch was added in basins for water retention and soil improvement over time.

In a few years, these rainwater-fed native plants will be providing shade, food, wildlife habitat, and beauty for the residents and their guests, with little supplemental water.