Water is life...especially for those of us who live in arid climates. Whether you are "Environmentally Conscious" or not, reducing water consumption is not only smart, but in some places it is becoming law. Green building is no longer a dream or a bastion of the Birkenstock set...it is an economic reality.
The City of Tucson recently passed a law that all new homes being constructed be at least plumbed for a greywater system, whether the buyer chooses to install one or not. Green Homes are mainstream - and older homes that don't get updated will sooner or later suffer in the marketplace.

The Arizona Department of Water Resources has many useful tips and programs on its website (www.azwater.gov), one of which is a booklet provided by the University of Arizona County Cooperative Extension Service, entitled "Harvesting Rainwater For Landscape Use." First written by Patricia H. Waterfall, Extension Agent -retired Pima County Cooperative Extension, Low 4 Program, it is in its second edition now.
It provides an easy to understand outline of both simple and complex systems, with plenty of appendices dealing with everything from gutters and spouts to rainfall data and resources to contact. Since many of you won't get a chance to drop by the office in downtown Tucson to pick up your free copy, here is a link to download your own: Harvesting Rainwater (PDF). It is 60 pages, but is a fast download.
