About us
Cactus Rain
The prickly pear cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica, is native to the United States and common in the mountains and valleys of New Mexico.
This edible cactus stores water exceeding its own weight, and purifies water by clumping sediment and bacteria so they can be removed. This natural phenomenon is an inspiration at Cactus Rain for nature-based solutions for storing and purifying water.
Who are we?
Cactus Rain LLC is a small company with a big mission to drive water conservation. By reducing water consumption, harvesting rainwater, and reusing greywater, we're making a big impact in New Mexico. Our team of H2O designers are committed to creating beautiful and functional water systems that meet the unique needs of our clients.
Join us in advancing water conservation and delivering clean water for all, in ways that inspire and delight, and are sustainable for future generations.
Lauren Forbes, Founder and Designer
Founder and Designer
In a world where everything is connected, Lauren is motivated by finding integrated solutions that meet multiple needs. Lauren began navigating the complexities around rainwater and greywater to balance human needs, financial goals, and water-energy concerns inside her own home. This began a multi-year journey to become a certified designer and launch Cactus Rain LLC so she could help others achieve their water security and sustainability goals, too.
- ARCSA and ASSE Rainwater Designer
- Commercial Water Auditor
- Qualified Water Efficient Landscape (QWEL)
-
WERS Consultant
- Next Generation Water Summit Co-organizer
- MIT Professional Certificate in Sustainability
- MIT Professional Education DesignX
- Architectural Technology
Nichole Busse, Horticulture
Operations Manager and Designer
Nichole is one of those lucky people who can say that they love what they do when it comes to their profession. She’s knowledgeable about growing and propagating plants, what is native to New Mexico, what vegetation is drought tolerant, sun loving, cold hardy, etc. and can help you decide what will grow best for your area. She has an extensive history identifying invasive pests and plant diseases, and has been learning, researching, and implementing water conservation and high elevation growing for over 20 years.
- ARCSA and ASSE Rainwater Designer
- Qualified Water Efficient Landscape (QWEL)
- State of California Plant Quarantine Supervisor
- Plant Health Safeguarding Specialist
- Garden Nursery Manager
Brian Chavez
Construction Manager
Part problem-solver, part miracle worker, Brian brings 15+ years of construction experience to bear on overseeing complex projects from preconstruction through closeout.
Eben Carlisle
Installation Foreman
Eben makes complicated things look easy and keeps projects moving while the rest of us are still finding the coffee. Our dedicated foreman has a practical, hands-on leadership style and a focus on safety, teamwork, and getting the job done right the first time.
Tony Powell
Rainwater, Greywater System Installer
He was very young when he was born. Tony is originally from Northern California and brings diverse experience and knowledge to the team, some of which is even useful. He is currently learning the ropes of rainwater system design and installation and permaculture landscaping, all while studying Environmental Science at University of New Mexico. Grade Point Average: 3.94.
Greg & Lexie, Plumbers
Our partners in pipe!
Mentors
Doug Pushard
Doug founded Harvest H2O over 20 years ago as a personal expression of his interest in the subject of rainwater catchment and water conservation. Doug has been published and featured in dozens of newspapers, magazines, and radio shows. Additionally, Doug has presented on rainwater and water conservation at conferences around the United States.
Before retiring, Doug worked with home-owners and local contractors to install small-to-large residential water management systems. He worked closely with homeowners and builders to maximize the water capture; while optimizing water efficiency and minimizing overall costs and required ongoing maintenance.
Laura Allen
Laura Allen is a founding member of Greywater Action and has spent the past 20 years exploring simple and ecological water solutions. She is the lead author of the San Francisco Graywater Design Guidelines for Outdoor Irrigation, and authored The Water-Wise Home: How to Conserve and Reuse Water in Your Home and Landscape (Storey Press, 2015) and Greywater, Green Landscape (2017). Laura has presented widely on greywater reuse, including at the Water Smart Innovations Conference, Bioneers, California Environmental Health Association conference, and California Landscape Contractors Association conference. She’s participated in state greywater code developments in California and Washington State and is on the technical advisory committee for IAPMO’s Water Efficiency Standard (We-Stand). Laura was featured in an Ask This Old House episode on greywater and was the 2014 recipient of the Silicon Valley Water Conservation Award of Water Champion.
Why choose Cactus Rain?
Professional Designs
Certified
designers can bring your vision to life!
We
provide certified plans, specifications, and permit documentation.
Creative Concepts
Are you
interested in an innovative solution or creative design?
We're interested too!
Expert Guidance
We'll help you right-size your system, get the design right, and navigate hurdles like finding contractors, incentive programs, and permits.
Get Started
Not sure where to start? Cactus Rain offers on-site consultations to give you a thorough base of information. Then you can decide if you are ready to DIY or if a detailed design is right for you!
Environmental and Social Responsibility
We are committed to causes that align with our mission and values.
We support clean water for all, in ways that are sustainable now and for future generations.
Cactus Rain LLC is a Woman-owned and Veteran-owned small business in northern New Mexico.