Active rainwater harvesting is when rainwater is captured and stored in large metal cisterns so it can be used later. On the other hand, passive rainwater harvesting is when rainwater runoff is redirected from buildings to benefit the landscape. According to Fernando Molina, the public information officer for Tucson Water, there are many benefits to both types of rainwater harvesting.

Dr. Jim Riley, associate professor of Soil, Water and Environmental Science at the University of Arizona, is an expert on rainwater harvesting.  Every spring, Riley teaches a course that requires students to complete hands-on work on a rainwater harvesting project around the campus.

Despite its scarcity, the Tucson community hasn’t given up on water just yet. Citizens and businesses are installing rainwater-harvesting systems to combat the problem.