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.
Shaping the Future of Water
Arizona’s extreme conditions offer a testbed for global water solutions. By building and testing systems in one of the driest regions in the U.S., the University of Arizona is generating scalable strategies for water conservation, policy, and planning that can be adapted by drought-impacted communities around the world.
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.
Research Spotlights
Shaping policy, guiding resilience strategies, and empowering people with knowledge – work that reflects Arizona’s commitment to solving water challenges through science that serves.
Oceanography & Climate Modeling
Coral Reef Resilience
Science for All
Mapping Extreme Weather
Water Economics & Policy
"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.
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.
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
Smart Landscaping & Water Recycling
LEAF: Linking Edible Arizona Forests
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.
Explore Water Programs