Harvesting the Rain

Water Harvesting Systems

Tikkun’s water management system serves as a demonstration of practical solutions to two of our semi-arid region's greatest challenges: water scarcity and ecological degradation. Such water insecurity threatens the stability of societies worldwide.

Eighteen years ago when we broke ground on Tikkun’s land, there was little besides dry scrub and few trees, located above an agricultural valley where the water table is overextended by agribusiness, suburban development and industrial parks. Our land has no water well and no municipal water services.

Our primary mission became to harvest every drop of rain that falls during the monsoon season, June through October. Using the Permaculture style systems of dryland water capture, we used swales and berms to slow rainwater as it moves cross the landscape, allowing it to penetrate the topsoil and prevent erosion.

Over the years we have constructed 8 water storage cisterns and ponds, capturing rainwater captured from our rooftops, driveways, and greenhouses.

As of 2026, our three new native tree production greenhouses are integrated with a new 1.2-million-liter rainwater catchment pond. Together, this integrated water-harvesting system enables us to capture and store more than two million liters of rainwater, providing a sustainable year-round water supply for propagating and growing native trees, shrubs, and other plants.

Our hope is that this living laboratory will become a model for communities, farmers, students, and conservation organizations throughout Mexico, illustrating how thoughtful ecological design can restore landscapes while strengthening food security, biodiversity, watershed resilience, and climate adaptation.