Thinking of moving to Tucson but worried about water? You’re not alone. It’s a common concern, especially for those coming from cooler, wetter climates. The idea of relocating to the heart of the Sonoran Desert can spark images of parched earth and water restrictions. And with headlines about the Colorado River drying up, it’s fair to wonder: does Tucson really have enough water?
The short answer is yes, and then some.
Tucson isn’t just surviving in the desert – it’s thriving. In fact, Tucson is one of the most water-secure cities in the American Southwest, thanks to decades of strategic planning, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a conservation-minded community. This article breaks down the top five reasons LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and retirees can confidently consider Tucson a safe and sustainable place to call home – water and all.
1. Tucson Has Banked Over 500,000 Acre-Feet of Water Underground
A Desert City With a Water Savings Account
Let’s start with the number that often surprises newcomers: Tucson has more than 500,000 acre-feet of water stored underground (NPR, Tucson One Water Plan). That’s enough to supply the entire city for 5 to 6 years even if every outside water source stopped tomorrow (UA Water Resources Research Center).
How did Tucson pull this off? Through a smart system of recharging Colorado River water into natural aquifers beneath the city. Instead of using all of its water allotment from the Central Arizona Project (CAP), Tucson deliberately “banks” excess water in specially designed facilities like the Clearwater Project (Tucson One Water Plan, Arizona Daily Star). Water is allowed to soak into the soil, where it’s stored safely underground and naturally filtered.
This underground reserve acts like a savings account – one Tucson doesn’t dip into lightly. It’s a last-resort buffer, meant to provide security during extreme droughts or emergencies. Not many cities can say they have a backup supply this strong.
2. Tucson Uses Less Water Than Almost Any Other Major Desert City
Low Per Capita Use = Long-Term Sustainability
Tucson isn’t just storing water – it’s using much less than most cities, even in similar desert climates. As of 2024, the average Tucson resident uses just 75 gallons of water per day – compared to over 100 gallons in Phoenix and nearly 120 gallons in some parts of Southern California (KOLD).
This achievement is the result of decades of conservation education, incentives, and pride in water stewardship. Locals have embraced desert landscaping, high-efficiency appliances, and rainwater harvesting as part of daily life. Tucson was also the first city in the U.S. to require commercial properties to irrigate at least 50% of their landscaping with rainwater (City of Tucson Commercial Rainwater Ordinance), a policy that’s now a model for others.
Whether you’re a young professional looking to settle in an eco-conscious city or a retiree searching for a sustainable lifestyle, Tucson makes it easy to live lightly on the land.
3. Tucson’s Water Supply Is Diverse and Strategically Managed
More Than Just Groundwater – A Resilient Mix of Sources
While many desert cities rely heavily on a single water source, Tucson has built a diversified portfolio that includes:
- Colorado River water (via the CAP)
- Recharged groundwater (stored and recovered in aquifers)
- Reclaimed wastewater (used for irrigation and environmental restoration)
- Rain and stormwater harvesting
(Tucson Water – One Water 2100 Plan)
In fact, about 90% of Tucson’s drinking water comes from recharged Colorado River water that’s been stored underground and naturally filtered before it reaches your tap (City of Tucson – Water Quality Monitoring and Supply Overview). This indirect use not only enhances quality but reduces pressure on native groundwater, allowing aquifers to recover from decades of overuse.
This “One Water” approach reflects the city’s commitment to treating all water as a valuable resource, whether it’s falling from the sky, flowing down a canal, or leaving your shower drain.
4. Tucson Is Leading the Way in Water Recycling and Reuse
Turning Waste Into Resource With Reclaimed and Purified Water
Tucson has been ahead of the curve on water reuse for decades. The city operates an extensive reclaimed water system, delivering treated effluent to over 1,000 sites – including parks, golf courses, and schoolyards – so drinking water can be reserved for taps and toilets (Tucson Water – Reclaimed Water System Overview).
And there’s more on the horizon. In 2025, Tucson received an $86.7 million federal grant to build a new Advanced Water Purification facility, which will treat wastewater to potable standards. Set to go live by 2031, this plant will produce enough clean water to serve thousands of homes, reducing Tucson’s need to draw from the Colorado River and further strengthening local resilience (WRRC – Advanced Water Purification Grant Announcement).
Projects like the Sweetwater Wetlands not only recharge aquifers but serve as wildlife habitats and urban parks. In Tucson, wastewater is no longer waste – it’s part of a closed-loop, community-driven strategy to secure the future.
5. Tucson Has a Long-Term Climate Plan and Drought Contingencies
A City That Plans for the Future, Not Just the Forecast
Tucson doesn’t take its water stability for granted. Its One Water 2100 Plan is a forward-thinking blueprint that models climate change impacts, future droughts, population growth, and supply disruptions. This plan includes multiple drought response levels, conservation goals, and investment in local water sources to reduce dependence on the increasingly volatile Colorado River (Tucson One Water 2100 Plan – Climate Planning and Drought Scenarios).
Unlike many places that are reactive, Tucson is proactive. Officials have already modeled extreme scenarios – like total cuts from the CAP – and developed contingency strategies that include:
- Drawing on stored groundwater
- Increasing native groundwater pumping (with over 54,000 AFY of rights)
- Utilizing water banked by the Arizona Water Banking Authority
- Fast-tracking reuse projects
- Enforcing strict but smart conservation policies if needed
(Arizona Water Banking Authority – Stored Emergency Water Reserves)
In short, Tucson is ready – not just for the climate of today, but for the hotter, drier decades ahead.
🌈 Tucson Welcomes You With Open Arms (And a Full Glass of Water)
Whether you’re a gay couple looking for a more inclusive place to live, a trans professional seeking community and safety, or an LGBTQ+ retiree chasing sunshine and serenity, Tucson offers more than just open-mindedness and affordability – it offers true sustainability.
Yes, we’re in the desert.
Yes, we’ve seen drought.
But Tucson is not running out of water.
With over half a million acre-feet stored underground, decades of conservation success, and one of the most advanced urban water strategies in the country, Tucson stands as a model of resilience – and an incredibly smart place to plant roots.
🌵 Ready to Explore Life in Tucson?
If you’re thinking about relocating, we’d love to show you everything Tucson has to offer. Get your FREE Tucson LGBTQ+ Relocation Package today and start imagining your life in this welcoming, water-wise city. 🌈
Have questions about neighborhoods, schools, culture, or the real estate market? Reach out to Tony Ray Baker, our community’s most trusted LGBTQ+ Realtor® and relocation expert. He’s here to help you discover exactly where you’ll fit in – and why Tucson might just be your forever home.
[📦 Get Your Free Relocation Package]
[📞 Call Tony Ray Baker at (520) 631-TONY (8669)]
