About One Water 2100

Careful management of our water resources is critical to Tucson’s long-term sustainability. One Water is a nationally recognized approach to water management that places equal value on all water as integrated and viable sources for the community.

The One Water 2100 Plan is a comprehensive, long-range plan that aims to protect the reliability and quality of Tucson’s water supply through 2100. It recognizes the interconnectedness of our surface water, groundwater, recycled water, and stormwater supplies and plans for a future where the region’s water supply portfolio is increasingly diversified, and water demands are well managed.

Read the Full Plan

Purpose

The One Water 2100 Plan reconfirms that Tucson has a range of valuable water resources that support our quality of life. As population growth, climate change, economic development, conservation practices, and water quality impact our water resources, the One Water approach will help us achieve better water resilience, water equity, environmental stewardship and quality of life.

”A DIVERSIFIED WATER SUPPLY PORTFOLIO AND SIGNIFICANT GROUNDWATER SAVINGS MAKE TUCSON THE MOST WATER RESILIENT CITY IN THE DESERT SOUTHWEST.

Guiding Principles

One Water is Tucson’s commitment to resilience, equity, stewardship, and quality of life.

1. Deliver reliability through water supply diversification, conservation, and innovative improvements to infrastructure.

2. Reinforce resiliency by planning for climate change, leading mitigation efforts, and implementing collaborative and adaptive strategies.

3. Enhance the community’s quality of life by preserving and restoring riparian areas, increasing urban tree canopy, and supporting economic growth.

4. Achieve affordability, accessibility, and social justice by committing to fiscal responsibility, and prioritizing equitable projects and programs.

5. Ensure public confidence with safe, high-quality water supplies and exceptional customer service that includes transparency and responsiveness.

Tucson’s Water History

Tucson Water has delivered high quality, safe, and reliable drinking water to City residents and businesses since 1901. Since then, there has been a dramatic transition from a sole reliance on groundwater to a diverse mix of water supplies that make Tucson one of the most water resilient cities in the Southwestern United States. In recent decades, Tucson has become known as a national leader in conservation, water recycling, and rainwater harvesting.

Learn more about our water story

Tucson’s Water Future

The One Water 2100 Plan allows us to build on previous programs that have made our community water-wise. Tucsonans have identified two challenges to ensuring viability and quality of our community’s water supply for the next 80 years: managing water supply and managing water demand. Looking forward, we’ve outlined 16 high-priority strategies that fall within water supply diversification or demand management goals.

Water Supply Diversification

Provide a reliable and sustainable water supply in the face of a changing climate and ongoing drought conditions on the Colorado River.

Surface Water: Maximize the use of Tucson’s Colorado River allocation, while collaborating to promote the long-term viability of this resource for future generations.
Groundwater: Maintain water quality, address emerging contaminants, and practice sustainable groundwater management.
Recycled Water: Maximize use of this renewable water resource in both potable (drinking water) and non-potable (irrigation, toilet flushing, and cooling) uses.
Stormwater: Integrate stormwater management into our built environment with a focus on social, economic, and environmental benefits.

Demand Management

Assess existing conservation programs and identify opportunities for improvement while continuing to protect vulnerable communities.

Incentives: Encourage water users to conserve and use water resources more efficiently.
Monitoring and Mandates: Monitor water use in real-time and regulate use, when needed.
Education: Promote awareness and knowledge about water management and conservation.

Taking Action on One Water 2100

The One Water 2100 Plan provides a roadmap for Tucson Water to optimally manage water resources under changing conditions. Over the last few years, we’ve made substantial progress implementing several strategies in support of Tucson’s sustainable and integrated One Water approach. Our goal is to achieve water resilience, water equity, serve as stewards of the Sonoran Desert, and champion quality of life for all Tucsonans as Sonoran Desert dwellers.

Read more in our One Water 2100 Implementation Reports.

2024 One Water 2100
Implementation Report

2025 One Water 2100
Implementation Report