3 Free Outdoor Destinations Where
You Play – and We Work!

Reusing every drop of water is critical to sustainability in our desert home. Tucson Water’s purple pipe-reclaimed system recycles treated wastewater and delivers it to irrigate landscaping and recharge the aquifer at three unique recreation spots. Sweetwater Wetlands, the Santa Cruz River Heritage Project, and the Shirley E. Scott Southeast Houghton Area Recharge Project (SHARP) can recharge and store a maximum of 6.5 billion gallons of recycled water a year.

This December, get outdoors to enjoy Sweetwater, SHARP, and the Heritage Project! Each destination is a different take on “sustainable desert oasis.” All are free public parks managed by Tucson Water:

Sweetwater Wetlands: Sweetwater is a 60-acre urban park, home to native wildlife and migrating visitors in a unique riparian setting. Discover 2.5 miles of pathways, bridges, and viewing platforms around different water features, all using reclaimed water. At 25 years old, this thriving wetland and its recharge basins are one of the region’s top birding and photography locations. The park is accessible from “The Loop.”

SHARP: Find 40 acres of desert landscape to walk, cycle, take photos, walk a dog, relax under a ramada, and see water in recharge basins (most often filling during the cool months). There are 1.6 miles of two-way, walking/running trails including an accessible path. A single-track mountain biking trail, part of the larger Fantasy Island Trails system, hugs the site. There are ramadas, picnic tables, and benches, plus more than 1,500 low-water-use desert plants and trees, irrigated with reclaimed and rainwater.

Santa Cruz River Heritage Project: Thanks to reintroducing reclaimed water into a mostly dry riverbed, this riparian area connects nature, recreation, history, and culture in one spot. The flowing water has attracted the return of native – and sometimes endangered – trees, birds, reptiles, insects, and fish. There’s access to the site via the nearby “Loop” trail.

Behind the Scenes

Click for a short animation to see how recharge works. Every year, we recharge billions of gallons of reclaimed water into basins and dry riverbeds at SHARP, Sweetwater Wetlands, and the Santa Cruz River Heritage Project. This water is stored in the aquifer, ready for the future or use during peak demand.

Order a Free Water Conservation Kit Today

Happy holidays from Tucson Water! We are sending savings your way. Choose from these water-saving items:

WaterSense showerhead: These independently certified showerheads offer both high-performance spray and pressure plus water savings.

Toilet leak detection dye tablets: Use dye tablets to check if water from the tank might be leaking into the toilet bowl. Toilet leaks are the leading cause of high bills.

Shower timer: Strive for 5-minute showers! You can save up to 150 gallons of water per month by shortening a shower by a minute or two.

Toilet tank bag:  Save up to 1 gallon per flush by placing this sturdy bag filled with water inside the toilet tank.

Bathroom faucet aerator: Install a faucet aerator that mixes air into the water stream, reducing the water flow while maintaining good water pressure.

Hose timer: Attach this timer between a spigot and a hose that you use to hand water for auto shut off.  

Irrigation repair kit: Fix line breaks and plug unused emitters. Irrigation leaks are the second biggest water waster at homes.

Limit is one free kit per Tucson Water customer household, while supplies last. Order yours here.

“How do I set up paperless billing?”

Click here to start. Once there, you’ll find how-to info in English and Spanish. Reminder: you’ll need these two items to set up an account: your account number and type of payment method. During set up, you’ll opt-in with a click to the paperless option.   

Go green and pay your utility statement 24/7 or automatically, view statements online, receive notices by email/text, read Water Matters, and track your water usage.

City of Tucson
Environmental Services

Keep Your Holidays Green!

Remember the 3Rs this season:

Reduce: Give experiences rather than things as gifts.

Reuse: Don’t buy disposable tableware. Use cloth napkins and real plates and utensils that you can wash and reuse.

Recycle: Save holiday cards, gift wrap, and boxes for your recycle bin.

With Christmas on Sunday, there is no change to trash service. Find the 2023 holiday schedule here.

Holiday Schedule

Grease Collection Day Jan. 14, 2023

Pouring grease down the drain can clog your pipes and attract roaches. Save that grease and bring it to our free Grease Collection Day, Jan. 14, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.! Visit  www.pima.gov/grease for Grease Collection Day locations around Pima County.

Grease Collection