Rainwater Harvesting: Tucson, AZ
In an effort to ensure sufficient water resources in the face of substantial ongoing growth, the mayor of Tucson, Arizona signed an emergency declaration and ordinance in October 2008. The ordinance identifies resource limitations due to an arid environment as the catalyst for conservation mandates and the need to acquire additional water supplies.
The ordinance has a strong focus on rain water harvesting, and requires that commercial development site plans submitted after June 1, 2010 include a rainwater harvesting plan. The plan must include a landscape water budget and an implementation plan. Tucson Code Chapter 6 Article VIII mandates that at least 50% of the landscape water budget come from an onsite rainwater harvesting system and summarizes the restrictions, exemptions, reporting requirements, and enforcement actions subject to implementation plans. Covenants or other such rules or conditions that aim to restrict the installation or use of rainwater harvesting systems are prohibited.
This easy-to-follow ordinance serves as a good example for municipalities considering the adoption of rainwater harvesting requirements for commercial development. The declaration of emergency, an overview of critical issues, and the portrayal of the City as an innovative leader in water resource management all invite strong support of the amendment.
