This city is exploring an unconventional solution to water scarcity: sewage

The El Paso Times reports from the heart of the Rio Grande Basin - where drought has led to dramatic decreases in water supply, and serious changes in management of river resources are called for - on how the region plans to tackle the effects of climate change. Citizens work to increase water regulations and frugality in order to find a solution to the dwindling water problem.

The Rye Resurgence Project planted 4,000 acres of rye in Colorado's San Luis Valley, leading to a 30% reduction in soil nitrogen leaching, dramatically improved water infiltration, and reduced soil erosion and dust storms, while providing farmers with profitable markets that incentivize soil-protecting practices.

Morocco's implementation of seawater desalination plants has successfully provided drinking water to 1.6 million people and enabled record agricultural exports for large-scale tomato producers, while simultaneously revealing the technology's limitations in addressing broader water needs due to high costs, geographic constraints, and environmental impacts that benefit only well-funded farms near coastal facilities.

As Tucson works to combat the effects of climate change, the Arizona city has been implementing policies to conserve its limited water supply through initiatives like a city rebate program. By focusing efforts on water harvesting — both rainwater, which can be drinkable, and stormwater, which can be used for irrigation — the city can use that water to create more green spaces and lower water bills. The rebate program pays back residents as much as $2,000 for purchasing water harvesting systems. During one year, the program saved 52.1 million gallons of water, which is enough for 160 households.

After running out of water during a drought in 2002, the Southern Nevada Water Authority and Las Vegas Valley Water District took proactive steps to conserve the region’s water for future generations. Thanks to public service campaigns, outdoor water usage limits, and turf replacement programs, the region’s water usage per capita has dropped by 46 percent. However, many people still don’t fully comply with the city’s water regulations and the region continues to grow at an expanding rate. Yet, similar conservation efforts could be a model for other arid regions around the United States.

El Paso pecan farmers are implementing innovative water conservation techniques—including cover crops, polymer soil treatments, and improved tillage practices—that are showing promising results in reducing water usage and salt buildup, with cover crops alone reducing weed populations by 80-90% while creating cooler, more moisture-retentive soil conditions that help orchards survive in increasingly drought-prone conditions.

By strategically restoring native riparian plants, removing invasive species, and implementing efficient water management practices, the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe has successfully revitalized ecosystem health and cultural traditions along the Colorado River.

In Morocco's desert oasis, combining traditional ecological knowledge (communal groundwater management, rainwater harvesting, sustainable agriculture) and cultural renewal (a music school and festival) helps combat desertification, encourages youth retention, and strengthens community resilience, although evidence of long-term ecological restoration is still limited.

In Santa Fe, Peru, an ancestral system of water storage is helping communities cope with water scarcity: qochas are artificial lagoons built to store rainwater during the wet season, which is later used during droughts. The use of qochas has allowed Santa Fe to have 41 reservoirs that store 2.9 million cubic meters (102.4 million cubic feet) of water, three times more than before.

Through settlements, the Gila River Indian community was able to regain rights to its river and tributaries. Aside, from that the community created partnerships with other water projects. The community also decided to keep a network of managed aquifer sites and to rehabilitate existing wells. One other effect of the settlement was the revival of a small segment of the Gila river. The strategic moves the community made could provide a model for other indigenous communities who lack access to their own water supply.