 We Goat This!
Keeping Aquifer Recharge Basins Clear at Sweetwater
Bobcats, raccoons, falcons, flycatchers, and goats! Goats?
Most people who visit Tucson Water’s Sweetwater Wetlands and recharge facility go to view the impressive display of wildlife that calls the wetlands home, but the facility is also one of the most important parts of our community’s reclaimed water system.
Initially constructed in 1984 (four basins), Sweetwater Recharge Facility’s primary function is recharging reclaimed water through the now 11 infiltration basins surrounding the site. Basins are flooded on a rotating schedule, allowing the reclaimed water to seep back into the ground, replenishing the aquifer.
But this process works best when water can easily flow through the soil, and that’s where vegetation can cause a problem.
The water pumped into the basins is treated effluent and is nutrient rich. Combine that with the amount of sunshine we get, and growth is extreme. As the weeds grow and their roots develop, they fill up the pore spaces in the soil, slowing the rate at which water can infiltrate. To prevent this, Tucson Water must remove the growth multiple times each year.
Previously the utility has used heavy equipment to clear the vegetation, but this method presents some challenges. The removed materials pile up on-site since they cannot be disposed of at the green landfill—too much dirt and debris are unavoidably scraped up in the process—or be used as fill dirt—too much organic matter. And since the potable water system is prioritized, scheduling machinery and staff for this work can be challenging.
So, what’s the solution? Goats!
That’s right—goats. Tucson Water is piloting a new-to-the-utility method of vegetation removal in the basins. The use of goats for land clearing is rooted in agricultural and pastoral traditions worldwide, often blending practicality with sustainable land stewardship. These eco-friendly workers are experts in munching through vegetation and have been deployed to clear brush, prevent wildfires, and even tidy up parks. Now, they’re lending their talents to help maintain Sweetwater’s aquifer recharge basins.
Why goats? First, they’re thorough! These basin browsers happily eat their way through dense vegetation, from grasses to invasive plants, sometimes on terrain not easily accessible to machinery. Second, they’re sustainable and help reduce carbon emissions—they just eat, chew, and keep going. And third, they’re adorable!
Using goats is a win-win. They provide a natural, low-impact way to maintain our basins while cutting down on the environmental footprint of our operations.
One final note, these furry friends are helping ensure our reclaimed water system continues to serve us efficiently by working in the recharge basins only. There are no plans to have them in the wetlands.
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Watch this short video to learn more about the reclaimed water system and see the goats in action! |
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