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SOLVING WATER CHALLENGES
Creating sustainable water solutions - from the Sonoran Desert, for the world.
Where Every Drop Counts – and Educates
Arizona faces some of the most urgent water challenges in the United States – and the University of Arizona’s response is setting a global example.
Water Facts, County by County
The Arizona Water Factsheet series breaks down water supply, demand, and challenges for each of Arizona’s 15 counties. Developed with local stakeholders, these easy-to-understand guides empower communities to make better decisions about their water resources – and prepare for a more sustainable future, one region at a time.
Helping Farmers Adapt to Drought
A University of Arizona-led report outlines strategies for keeping agriculture viable in the face of extreme drought. From native crops to climate-smart irrigation, these real-world solutions are designed to help Arizona’s farmers adapt to dwindling Colorado River resources, and lead the way in water-resilient food production.
Reviving the Santa Cruz River
The Santa Cruz River Heritage Project returns water to a once-dry river by releasing treated wastewater into the riverbed. The result: recharged aquifers, a renewed riparian habitat, and a vibrant ecosystem that supports wildlife and community recreation in the heart of Tucson.
Water & Tribal Communities
The University of Arizona is home to the Indigenous Resilience Center, where researchers and tribal leaders co-create solutions to climate challenges. From food sovereignty to water access, the work centers on Indigenous knowledge and builds long-term resilience across Native communities in Arizona and beyond.
Leaders in Water Science
At the University of Arizona, water research flows across disciplines and ecosystems – from oceans and reefs to deserts and rainstorms. Our faculty are leading breakthroughs that deepen our understanding of water’s role in everything from climate to community health.
Oceanography & Climate Modeling
Oceanographer and climate scientist Joellen Russell uses robot floats, satellites, and supercomputers to study how the ocean drives climate and carbon cycles. Her groundbreaking work revealed how warming climates shift westerly winds, a discovery that transformed climate science and helps predict how oceans absorb and release carbon in a changing world.
Coral Reef Resilience
At Biosphere 2, researchers are building a coral reef for the future – one that can survive climate change. This one-of-a-kind ocean lab allows scientists to test bold restoration strategies, explore species resilience, and develop real-world solutions to help reefs recover and continue supporting life for millions around the globe.
Science for All
Dr. Mónica Ramírez-Andreotta’s Project Harvest empowers Arizona communities to test their harvested rainwater for contaminants like lead, PFAS, and E. coli. Through a co-created, bilingual research model, residents become scientists – collecting data, interpreting results, and advocating for environmental health in their own neighborhoods. The goal: cleaner water, informed choices, and community-led solutions.
Mapping Extreme Weather
Dr. Beth Tellman develops tools that help communities respond to floods and droughts as they unfold. By using satellite imagery and machine learning, her research turns live data into actionable insights, helping governments, humanitarian organizations, and climate-vulnerable regions around the world better prepare for extreme weather and manage water risk.
Water Economics & Policy
Researchers in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) analyze how water is valued, used, and managed across the West. Their work informs pricing structures, agricultural water policies, and sustainable allocation models that balance the needs of cities, farms, and ecosystems. From studying the economic impact of water scarcity to guiding decisions on Colorado River use, AREC provides data-driven insights that help shape smarter water policy in Arizona and beyond.
"We are the leading schools that do research on water reuse in the Southwest to allow for self-sufficiency and resiliency in the Southwest."
Rethinking Cities
Architect and Professor Courtney Crosson is reimagining urban water systems through her Net Zero Urban Water (NZUW) approach – a framework that helps cities become more self-sufficient while adapting to climate, infrastructure, and population pressures. Her work spans from Tucson to Nairobi, bringing forward scalable solutions for water equity and resilience worldwide.
Innovations in Agriculture & Sustainability
In the face of rising temperatures, shrinking water supplies, and rapid urbanization, Arizona researchers are rethinking how we grow food and generate energy. From shade-grown crops beneath solar panels to rooftop gardens and food forests, we’re proving that with innovation, the desert can feed and power the future.
Crops Under Solar Panels
At Biosphere 2, Dr. Greg Barron-Gafford leads research in agrivoltaics – growing crops like chiltepin peppers and tomatoes beneath solar panels. The outcome? Higher yields, cooler temperatures, improved solar efficiency, and dramatic water savings in the face of drought. This win-win-win approach is reshaping how we think about food, energy, and water in dryland farming.
Farming the Future
Professor Kirk Dimond and graduate student Kai Lepley envision cities where rooftops and walls aren’t wasted space – they’re self-sustaining farms. By stacking solar panels, crops, and shade-loving plants, they dream of creating multifunctional systems that cool cities, conserve water, and turn underutilized spaces into productive hubs of food and energy.
Living Urban Pantries
Arizona researchers are building urban food forests – edible ecosystems designed for arid climates. These living pantries provide native fruits, greens, and herbs while conserving water and supporting pollinators. Projects like these blend Indigenous knowledge with climate-smart design, showing what sustainable desert agriculture can look like at a neighborhood scale.
"We can show the rest of the world how it's done properly. This will be the place where industry, policy, and technology are working together to transform food production."
Sustainable Campus, Future-Focused
The University of Arizona’s isn’t just imagining a more sustainable world – we’re creating, building, and living it. Our Tucson campus is a living lab for water conservation climate leadership.
ENR2: Where Desert Design Meets Data
The Environment and Natural Resources 2 (ENR2) building is more than just a LEED Platinum-certified landmark, it’s a high-performing research hub for sustainable living. On the roof, students and faculty grow native plants beneath solar panels in an innovative PV+ garden. This rooftop system cools panels, conserves water, and boosts plant health, proving that in the desert, green innovation thrives in every direction.
Smart Landscaping & Water Recycling
Across campus, native and drought-tolerant landscaping reduces irrigation needs while supporting pollinators and local ecosystems. At the same time, Arizona’s water recycling systems ensure that we conserve and reuse wherever possible – all part of our commitment to climate neutrality by 2040.
LEAF: Linking Edible Arizona Forests
With nearly 1,800 edible trees on campus, the LEAF program helps harvest fruit, nuts, and pods that would otherwise go to waste. Students and volunteers gather olives, citrus, mesquite, and more, turning campus trees into local food and engaging the community in urban sustainability.
WHERE KNOWLEDGE BECOMES ACTION
At the University of Arizona, the future of water is already taking shape – in our labs, communities, and classrooms. From climate-resilient agriculture to Indigenous-led research, we’re preparing the next generation of water stewards. Explore degree programs that will equip you to lead in sustainability, science, and water solutions.
