Potential Use of Water Harvesting in an Urban Development on State Urban Lands in the Tucson Area

Abstract

Tucson, Arizona's population depends on its natural water supply as the largest community in the nation to rely entirely upon groundwater. With a population growth rate of 41/2 percent a year, Tucson's groundwater levels have been declining. State Urban Land, available for urban development in the Tucson area, is largely located where groundwater supplies are limited. If these lands are to be developed, insitu surface water supplies have to be utilized. This study examines an actual planned subdivision case study, Fairway Villas, along with existing water harvesting technologies. The case study and existing technologies are then incorporated into two additional schemes of design and compared. Comparisons of the potential runoff and economic feasibility were made. The two redesigned subdivision schemes indicated the runoff potential of the sites is enough to supply the subdivision with water for all landscape needs in both cases. Economically, the two additional schemes become feasible at a water rate increase of 7 and 10 percent, respectively. The State Land Department has the potential to fully develop their Urban Land near Tucson if alternative water supplies, such as water harvesting, are utilized.