 Reid Park, irrigated by reclaimed water
Ahead of the Curve on Water Reuse
Utilities nationwide are rallying behind a simple but powerful idea known as One Water: use all water wisely and waste none. This approach looks at all water – groundwater, surface water, recycled water, and stormwater – as part of one connected system. Water leaders know that this framework will help communities build resilience and face any future challenges.
In Tucson, that future arrived in 1984 when Tucson Water became one of the first utilities in the nation to invest in a reclaimed water system. The approach was forward-thinking: diversify the water supply, reuse water when possible, and empower customers to conserve. Together, these strategies embody One Water.
"The key is using the right water for the right use," says Tucson Water Director John Kmiec. "As a community, we asked a simple question decades ago: Why are we watering grass with drinking water or mined groundwater? If treated wastewater can be safely reused, why not use it more than once?"
Over four decades, our reclaimed water system has expanded to meet irrigation needs for parks, schools, and golf courses across Tucson – saving about 4.7 billion gallons of drinking water every year and ensuring high-quality drinking water is available for the right use in your home or business.
The City of Tucson | Tucson Water continues to innovate new ways to expand reclaimed water use. By listening to customers and community partners, the utility identified new ways to connect available resources with new customers, including businesses and industry. This collaborative work helped shape Tucson’s One Water 2100 Plan, approved by the City of Tucson’s Mayor and City Council in 2023.
Advanced Water Purification (AWP) is the next step in Tucson’s water reuse program – using multiple layers of treatment and strict oversight, this process produces ultra-clean water that meets or exceeds drinking-water standards. Communities across the U.S. and around the world already use this proven technology to strengthen local water supplies and plan for the future.
Together, these efforts are part of Tucson’s long-term water strategy – helping the community use local resources, meet growing demand, and stay resilient.
Learn how water reuse fits into Tucson’s One Water 2100 Plan.
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