Tucson Water Celebrates 125 Years of Water Stewardship in the Sonoran Desert

Tucson, AZ — Tucson Water Department proudly marks its 125th anniversary in 2025, celebrating more than a century of innovation, resilience, and community partnership in sustaining Tucson’s most essential resource. 

Tucson Water’s story began in 1882 as the Tucson Water Company, a small partnership serving a growing desert community. In 1900, the City of Tucson purchased the utility, transforming it into the Tucson Water Department and ushering in a new era of public service. Tucson Water has grown alongside the city it serves—delivering safe, reliable water through eras of expansion, drought, and change. From pioneering reclaimed water and aquifer recharge to leading the nation in water conservation, Tucson Water continues to set the standard for sustainable water management in arid regions. 

“This anniversary is about honoring a legacy of water stewardship, reaffirming our commitment to the generations that will follow, and ensuring that Tucson’s water system remains sustainable for the next century,” said Mayor Regina Romero.  

“This milestone is more than an anniversary—it’s a reflection of the enduring partnership between Tucson Water and the community we serve,” said John Kmiec, Director of Tucson Water. “Tucsonans have worked together for generations to conserve, innovate, and plan for the future. That spirit will carry us forward as we look to the next century of water stewardship.” 

Tucson Water will host a commemorative 125th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, November 7, 2025. The event will feature remarks from Mayor Romero, the opening of a historic time capsule, a presentation of archival photos and video, and the sealing of a new time capsule to be opened in 2060—symbolizing Tucson’s continued commitment to sustainable water for future generations. 

While the celebration will not be open to the public, members of the press are invited for interviews and to film the time capsule contents from 12:40 – 1:00 p.m. 

Media inquiries and interview requests may be directed to the Tucson Water Public Information Office.

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