Rainwater Harvesting and Water Budget

Rainwater harvesting has been used for thousands of years. Today, homes from Australia to Hawaii rely on it for indoor and outdoor water supply. Arizona ranchers began collecting rainwater many decades ago. This is an ancient, well proven method of adding high quality water to the community water supply. It works very well in our area with only 12" of rainfall.

Rainwater is better for plants than tap water – no minerals! There are no legal barriers to the use of rainwater for landscape use.

Rainwater Harvesting Tips (illustrated article)

Rainwater Harvesting Slideshow (slides plus notes in 3/page format)

Vendors: View a list of local vendors for drought-tolerant plants and rainwater harvesting systems.

Native plant lists:  Native plant list for Prescott and Yavapai County Plant Communities

City of Prescott Rainwater Harvesting Water Bill Credit also available for other water saving purchases (for City of Prescott water customers)

City of Prescott Rainwater Passive Harvesting (Rain Garden) Installation Guide and Water Bill Credit (for City of Prescott water customers)

City of Prescott Plant Booklet

Passive Rainwater Harvesting, pamplet from the Cooperative Extension Service

Water Budget Spreadsheet -- Excel spreadsheet to estimate landscape water needs (including effect of rainwater harvesting based on booklet "Harvesting Rainwater for Landscape Use")

page revised 19 Apr 2023.  Please tell us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you find bad links.