Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond

Guiding Principles to Welcome Rain into Your Life and Landscape

About the Book

In a world where water scarcity is an increasing concern, Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond by Brad Lancaster offers a revolutionary approach to turning scarcity into abundance. This award-winning guide is a comprehensive resource for designing and implementing water-, sun-, wind-, and shade-harvesting systems that transform your home, landscape, and community.

Packed with over 290 illustrations and clear, actionable advice, this book empowers you to assess your on-site resources, maximize their potential, and create integrated, multi-functional systems tailored to your needs. Whether you live in a dryland region or simply want to make the most of every drop, this guide is a must-have for anyone interested in sustainable living.

What Makes This Guide Unique?

💧 Water Abundance: Learn how to harvest rainwater and create water-rich landscapes, even in arid environments.
🌞 Sun and Shade: Discover strategies for passive solar design and shade-harvesting to reduce energy costs.
🌱 Sustainable Landscaping: Grow beauty, food, and wildlife habitats while conserving resources.
📖 Guiding Principles: Follow step-by-step instructions to design systems specific to your site.
🌍 Community Impact: Be inspired by real-world success stories of people transforming their landscapes.

Why You Need It

For preppers and homesteaders in the Southwest or other dryland regions, this book is an essential resource for thriving in water-scarce environments. But its principles are universal, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to reduce their cost of living, build self-reliance, and create sustainable, life-enhancing systems.

With this guide, you’ll learn how to:

Harvest rainwater and design systems to store and use it effectively.
Implement passive solar and shade-harvesting techniques to cool your home naturally.
Create living air conditioners of vegetation that provide beauty, food, and habitat.
Assess your site’s resources and develop a customized plan for sustainability.
Build community resilience through cooperative, resource-sharing practices.

Brad Lancaster’s expertise and passion shine through in this book, making it both an educational resource and an inspiring call to action.

About the Author

Brad Lancaster is a trailblazer in the fields of rainwater harvesting, water management, and sustainable design. Based in Tucson, Arizona, he has transformed his own property and community into a model of water abundance and ecological stewardship. Through his work, Lancaster demonstrates how simple, thoughtful practices can turn even the driest landscapes into thriving, sustainable ecosystems. His expertise has made him a sought-after speaker and consultant, and his books have inspired countless individuals and communities to embrace sustainable living.

▶️ Watch Brad Lancaster’s TED Talk on rainwater harvesting: