Saving money and water: How to prepare for monsoon with rainwater harvesting – KGUN 9

Report on Rainwater Harvesting in Southern Arizona: Advancing Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

As the monsoon season begins in Southern Arizona, residents are presented with an opportunity not only to manage rainfall effectively but also to contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Rainwater harvesting emerges as a practical solution to conserve water resources and reduce financial costs associated with water consumption.

Rainwater Harvesting Systems and Their Benefits

Local landscaper Madeline Ryder, owner of Heaven and Earth Ecological Landscaping, exemplifies the implementation of rainwater harvesting systems. Her system recently collected 400 gallons of water from a single June storm, demonstrating the efficiency of such setups.

Types of Rainwater Harvesting

1. Passive Systems: Utilize landscaping to absorb and store rainwater in the soil.
2. Active Systems: Collect rainwater in tanks for future use.

Ryder emphasizes that directing rainwater from rooftops to plants supports the growth of native vegetation, enhancing urban biodiversity and contributing to SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Environmental and Economic Impact

• Water Conservation: Harvesting rainwater reduces dependency on municipal water supplies, aligning with SDG 6.
• Cost Savings: Utilizing free rainwater decreases water bills significantly, as landscaping accounts for 30% to 70% of residential water use.
• Reduction of Runoff: Capturing rainwater prevents surface runoff, mitigating flood risks and soil erosion, supporting SDG 11.

Financial Incentives and Local Climate Context

The installation cost for rainwater collection systems ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, depending on various factors. Tucson Water offers a rebate program reimbursing up to $2,000 for residential systems, encouraging wider adoption.

Pima County receives an average of 12 inches of rain annually, mostly during the monsoon season from June 15 to September 30. One inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof can yield approximately 600 gallons of water, highlighting the potential volume of harvestable water.

Community Engagement and Sustainable Development

Madeline Ryder’s enthusiasm for rainwater harvesting reflects the social dimension of sustainability (SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production). Her approach fosters community awareness and participation in water conservation efforts.

Conclusion

Rainwater harvesting in Southern Arizona represents a significant step towards achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals by promoting efficient water use, reducing environmental impact, and supporting economic savings. Programs like Tucson’s rebate initiative further enable residents to contribute actively to sustainable urban water management.

Additional Resources

• HomeAdvisor Rainwater Collection System Costs
• Tucson Residential Rainwater Harvesting Rebate Program
• Pima County Water Harvesting Information
• Tucson Water Official Website

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article discusses rainwater harvesting as a method to conserve water resources, directly contributing to sustainable water management.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Promoting rainwater harvesting in residential areas supports sustainable urban water management and reduces pressure on municipal water supplies.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Encouraging the use of harvested rainwater reduces reliance on conventional water sources, promoting efficient resource use.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Rainwater harvesting helps communities adapt to climate variability, such as monsoon rains and drought conditions.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors to ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater.
   • Target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Water volume harvested
   • The article mentions that a rainwater harvesting tank collected 400 gallons after a single storm and that one inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof can yield 600 gallons of water. This implies an indicator measuring the volume of rainwater collected per storm or per unit area.
2. Water use efficiency in residential landscaping
   • Reference to the proportion of water used for landscaping (30%-70%) and the potential reduction in water bills implies an indicator related to water consumption efficiency in residential settings.
3. Adoption rate of rainwater harvesting systems
   • The mention of rebate programs and installation costs suggests tracking the number or percentage of households installing rainwater harvesting systems as an indicator of uptake.
4. Rainfall measurements
   • Data on rainfall amounts during monsoon periods (e.g., 5.39 inches in first half of monsoon) can be used as an environmental indicator to assess water availability for harvesting.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kgun9.com