Tucson-Based Programs Help Residents Harvest Rainwater

Culture

Light breaking through the cloud and catching the monsoon rains over the vast plains surrounding Tucson, Arizona. john finney photography / Moment / Getty Images

By Molly Matthews Multedo

Not much rain falls in the desert city of Tucson, Arizona. And as the climate warms, it’s getting even drier. So when it does rain, it pays — literally — to make the most of it.


Imelda Cortez visits families, bringing materials to test their water.

She works with an initiative called Project Harvest. The program helps residents test the rainwater they collect for E. coli and other contaminants so they know if their water is safe.

Researchers also track the data so they can help communities develop guidelines on using harvested rainwater safely.

It’s a way to empower people with the knowledge they need to keep their families safe and prepare for a water-scarce future.

Reposted with permission from Yale Climate Connections.

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