On Wednesday, March 4, Governor Katie Hobbs announced an Alternative Designation of Assured Water Supply (ADAWS) for Arizona Water Company. The signing ceremony took place at Casa Grande City Hall in Pinal County, the fastest growing county in Arizona.

WRRC graduate student, Noah Rios, a Master of Public Health student and Peace Corps Coverdell Fellow, presented a poster at the recent Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Showcase. His poster, titled “WIFA Water Conservation Factsheets: Building Water Conservation Capacity in Underserved Rural and Indigenous Communities,” described the work he is pursuing with his fellowship.

The WRRC 2026 Annual Conference on April 14–15 will explore the interconnected challenges shaping Arizona’s future through a series of sessions examining the relationships between land use, water resources, energy systems, and economic development. Together, these sessions will offer attendees a deeper look at the complex intersections between water, energy, industry, and community well-being across Arizona and the broader region.

The WRRC mourns the passing of Eugene G. Sander, an extraordinary leader as well as a good friend and supporter of our work. WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal wrote, "Gene was a giant in so many ways. His contributions were enormous. His commitment to excellence was unrivaled. The University of Arizona and I personally owe so much to him."

At the end of February, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal and Associate Director Jamie McEvoy traveled to Washington DC to attend the annual meeting of the National Institutes of Water Resources (NIWR).

As part of the discussion on water use in industrial sectors, the WRRC 2026 Conference program will provide opportunities for attendees and community members to share their perspectives on these topics.

Monday, March 9, is the last day to apply for two internships offered by the WRRC. Both are open to current undergraduate and graduate students who will be enrolled at the U of A in the Fall 2026 semester.

The WRRC is pleased to welcome David Moore as a Graduate Research Associate this spring semester! David will assist with the creation of factsheets on Green Stormwater Infrastructure, highlighting the development process of Stone Dip Pocket Park in the Town of Superior.

On February 19, WRRC and the Arizona Institute for Resilience Center for Climate Adaption Science & Solutions co-hosted a presentation by Audubon Southwest Senior Director for Policy Haley Paul, titled “Issues and Opportunities at Bartlett Dam: Exploring Impacts.” Paul was joined by Salt River Project (SRP) Senior Engineer Olivia Galvan, who discussed details of the planning process.