In the hot, arid desert city of Tucson, Arizona, water is a precious resource. In 1998, Brad Lancaster took a saw to the curb in front of his home to channel rainwater into native plants, an act that was illegal at the time but eventually changed city law and transformed the community.
- Illegal curb cuts led to official rainwater harvesting policies.
- Streetside basins support native, edible plants and shade.
- City offers rebates and requires rainwater systems in new projects.
What happened
In 1998, Brad Lancaster sawed holes into the street curb outside his home in Tucson, Arizona, creating channels to divert rainwater into the space between the street and the sidewalk. Though this was against city law, his innovative action went unnoticed by officials for three years until Lancaster himself revealed what he had done after seeing the positive results.
The diverted rainwater fed native trees and plants, transforming the area into a thriving green space that provided shade and food in the desert environment. His work demonstrated how simple changes could benefit neighborhoods by slowing stormwater runoff and nourishing local ecosystems.
Why it feels good
Lancaster’s vision bridged ancient indigenous water-harvesting practices with modern urban living, showing how desert cities like Tucson can sustainably manage scarce rainwater. Instead of rushing rain into drains, street basins and earthworks capture and store water for plants, cooling streets and providing food from native edible species.
This approach has helped foster community green spaces that support both environmental health and local residents. It also demonstrates that thoughtful action can lead to larger change—Lancaster’s curb cuts eventually inspired citywide efforts to embrace water conservation creatively and effectively.
What to enjoy or watch next
Tucson now officially supports rainwater harvesting through its Storm to Shade program, offering homeowners rebates and requiring new construction to integrate rainwater collection into landscaping and streetscape design. This program reflects the spirit of Lancaster’s pioneering work from decades ago.
For those interested in seeing these ideas in action, videos featuring Lancaster and permaculture expert Andrew Millison explore how channeling rainwater supports urban ecosystems. Watching these stories can inspire similar sustainable solutions in cities facing water challenges worldwide.