Environmental Benefits
Tucson is one of the largest cities in the U.S. that obtains its water supply from ground water. Current demand has resulted in a state wide 2.5 million acre foot groundwater overdraft; surface water cannot replenish underground aquifers as quickly as we pump water out of them. In order to address Arizona’s water needs and the depletion of groundwater sources, the Central Arizona Project (CAP) was constructed to move water from the Colorado River to areas in need of water, including Pima County. CAP cost a total of $4 billion dollars and consists of several pumping plants, and miles of tunnels, aqueducts and pipelines. Not only does such a large-scale construction project disrupt and destroy wildlife habitat, it also negatively impacts the areas downstream of Lake Havasu by removing water that previously sustained those areas. As a result, wildlife and human populations are stressed, leading to environmental, economic, social, and agricultural hardships.
Setting up a rainwater collection system for your home or business is a vital step towards more sustainable water use in Tucson. Rainwater collection reduces your dependency on groundwater as well as the need for expensive, destructive water projects. By irrigating your landscape with collected rainwater you reduce your demand on municipal water and the associated chemicals and fossil fuels used in its transport and treatment.
Rainwater is a clean, salt-free source of water for plants. Rainwater does not contain chlorine and by-products that are used in the water treatment process. Nor does it contain the naturally occurring hard minerals that are found in groundwater. Irrigating with rainwater can further reduce salt accumulation in soil, promoting soil improvement and increased drought tolerance in plants. Additionally, by storing rainwater rather than allowing it to run off your property, you both decrease stress on stormwater infrastructure and reduce erosion of topsoil in your own yard.
Improved plant growth allows you to create a lush desert landscape around your home, which in turn creates shading and passive cooling, reducing overall home energy used. For maximum benefit, place native shade trees and cisterns on the east, north, and west sides of your house to allow passive heating from the southern sun in the winter. Stored rainwater can provide sustainable supplemental irrigation for fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Using collected rainwater connects you more closely to both the natural water cycle and your water consumption, which often leads to a deeper conservation ethic.
Technicians for Sustainability understands the importance of including water sustainability in any holistic conservation plan. By offering design and installation of water harvesting earthworks and cisterns, we further promote our mission of practical sustainability.