The Town of Camp Verde, the consultant group Watershed Management and Arizona State University’s Project Cities program concluded their rainwater demonstration garden and rainwater harvesting tank installation workshop on April 3.
The workshop brought together experts, environmental advocates and community members to explore innovative techniques for collecting and utilizing rainwater in local gardens and learn from professionals in the field of water management and sustainability, according to a press release.
“I recently read that the Verde River is running at just 36% capacity,” stated Patricia Mancini, a stormwater specialist in the Camp Verde Utilities Department. “As one of the last free-flowing rivers in Arizona — and a vital lifeline flowing through Camp Verde — it is not only a natural treasure, but a shared responsibility. We must nurture and conserve this precious resource so that future generations can experience the same sense of wonder we do today.”
The event was attended by stormwater specialists, sustainability planners and college and municipal grounds caretakers, who now have the tools and knowledge to implement water-saving techniques across public spaces, streetscapes, highways, campuses and municipal properties.
“We are not victims of a dwindling resource,” Mancini stated. “The decreasing flow is not the end of the story — it’s a call to action. Through water conservation methods, rainwater harvesting, the use of rain garden techniques and capturing and using rainwater when it does grace our desert lands, we can add to the river, not just take from it.”
The event included hands-on demonstrations, expert-led discussions and installation of a rainwater demonstration garden, and participants were introduced to various rainwater harvesting techniques
“Together, we can make a lasting difference and ensure a healthy, flowing Verde River — and a reliable water supply — for years to come,” Mancini stated.
