Tucson’s Water Crisis: How Homeowners Can Make a Difference
Tucson, perched in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, faces a familiar but critical challenge: dwindling water resources. Climate change, aging infrastructure, and pressure on the Colorado River and local aquifers underscore the need for local action. But homeowners aren’t powerless—they can play a vital role by embracing practical water-wise strategies that conserve resources and inspire community-wide change.
The Bigger Picture: Why Tucson Needs Action
Tucson’s municipal water supply blends Colorado River water via the Central Arizona Project (CAP), groundwater, reclaimed wastewater, and harvested stormwater and rain. Since the 1980s, the city has recharged aquifers using CAP water and reclaimed wastewater, creating a buffer of more than half a million acre‑feet—enough to serve Tucson for around 5–6 years if no fresh water arrived (seetucsonhomes.com). While robust, this system is strained by prolonged drought, lowering reservoir levels, and population growth.
A recent initiative incentivizes the removal of thirst-inducing ornamental grass on shared properties: by offering $5 per square foot of grass removed, it’s projected to save over 9 million gallons in two years (azpm.org). And despite Tucson’s average residential usage—about 74 gallons per person per day, relatively low in the region—up to 70% of residential water can be outdoors, making efficient yard work essential (sustainabletucson.org).
Homeowners have both the opportunity and responsibility to contribute to solutions.
Savvy Indoor Solutions
Fix leaks ASAP
Household leaks—running toilets, dripping faucets, leaky valves—can squander dozens of gallons daily. Prompt repairs can prevent that loss (calsplumbing.com).
Choose efficient fixtures
Low-flow toilets and showerheads can save hundreds of gallons of water per household annually (news.arizona.edu).
ENERGY STAR washing machines and dishwashers reduce both water and energy consumption (calsplumbing.com).
Be smart with use habits
Turn off the tap while brushing or washing dishes. Use faucet aerators. Fill dishwashers fully before running (fsresidential.com).
Reuse greywater
Simple redirection systems can gently channel used water (e.g., from sinks, showers, and laundry) into landscape irrigation, reducing potable water use.
Outdoor Wisdom: Landscaping and Harvesting
Convert turf lawns
Replacing grass with drought-tolerant native plants (cacti, desert shrubs) can save approximately 36 gallons per square foot yearly (azpm.org).
Install drip irrigation and mulch beds
These methods reduce evaporation and target plant roots directly (calsplumbing.com).
Harvest rainwater and stormwater
Collecting rooftop runoff via cisterns enables homeowners to irrigate gardens without city water (sustainabletucson.org, mappingresilience.onebillionresilient.org).
Street curb cuts can channel stormwater into planted basins to nourish trees—something Tucson encourages through rebates and municipal policy (sustainabletucson.org).
Use reclaimed water
Tucson delivers treated wastewater for non-potable use like irrigation—often at community facilities. Homeowners can adopt this approach on a larger scale in their home gardens (en.wikipedia.org).
Tucson Water Residential Rebates Summary
Tucson Water offers several rebates to help homeowners conserve water and save money:
Toilet Rebate: $100 for each high-efficiency toilet (homes built before 2011).
Washer Rebate: $200 for upgrading to a qualifying front-load washer.
Rainwater Harvesting: Up to $2,000 for systems that capture rainwater for landscape use.
Gray Water Systems: Up to $1,000 covering half the cost of approved gray water setups.
Free Services: On-site water audits, conservation kits, and self-audit guides.
Workshops, pre-approvals, and post-install inspections are often required. These programs not only lower your water bill but also support Tucson’s long-term sustainability goal
Tap into Rebates & Education
Workshops and resources: Pima County Smartscape offers landscape classes; the University of Arizona’s programs teach drip irrigation and earthworks (pima.gov).
Community equity focus: Non-profits such as SERI help low-income homeowners access rebate programs and install systems through grants and no-interest loans (mappingresilience.onebillionresilient.org).
Success Story: Rainwater & Greywater at Home
Local permaculture advocate Brad Lancaster demonstrates impactful home-level water systems. His Tucson home captures ~100,000 gallons annually using cisterns, curb-cuts, and redirected greywater, supplying most of his landscape needs. This cuts municipal water usage for irrigation by over 95% and nurtures healthier soil and plants (en.wikipedia.org). It shows what motivated homeowners can achieve—and how rewarding it is to work with natural systems.
You Can Make a Difference—Today
Here are concrete steps any Tucson homeowner can begin immediately:
ActionWhy It Matters
Could you fix leaks and upgrade fixtures? Reduces indoor water waste significantly
Replace turf with native plants, Major savings in outdoor water use
Install drip irrigation and mulch. Preserve moisture and reduce the need to water
Harvest rain and redirect greywater. Decreases reliance on potable water
Seek rebates and local training to ease the cost and build practical skills
Build Momentum in Your Neighborhood
Every drop saved adds up. Talk to neighbors, encourage your HOA to convert lawns, or host a water-wise workshop. Ask city and county officials to expand rebate programs further. Encourage policies that prioritize sustainable landscaping and green stormwater infrastructure.
Tucson has laid strong groundwork—diverse water sources, long-term storage, and a culture of conservation. Now, you can help carry the effort forward, making your home, neighborhood, and city more resilient in the face of water scarcity.
In Tucson, every gallon conserved counts. When homeowners act—by fixing taps, harvesting rain, and reshaping landscapes—they make a real impact. With awareness, effort, and community collaboration, we can secure Tucson’s water future for this generation and the next.
