As the Spring 2026 semester comes to a close, the University of Arizona Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences (HAS) is celebrating achievements by faculty members and students. The College of Science’s Galileo Circle presented the 2026 Copernicus award to HAS Professor of Practice Martha Whitaker and the 2026 Curie Award to HAS Associate Professor Bo Guo, who is also a University Distinguished Scholar. Galileo Circle awards “represent some of the highest distinctions the College can bestow, celebrating individuals who inspire students and advance scientific discovery in profound ways.”

Because water security is important to Arizona voters, the Arizona Clean Elections Commission produced video recordings of Inside the Issues: Water Security in Arizona, a transparent, nonpartisan conversation about the future of water in our state. WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal joined water experts from across the state in short discussion segments that provide voters with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

As graduation approaches, we at the WRRC prepare to celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2026. We are especially proud of the hard work of the graduating students who have spent time with us here at the WRRC, but we are always a bit sad to say goodbye. Congratulations to Ian, Noah, and the entire 2026 graduating class!

Each year, the US News & World Report ranks universities in over 50 fields of study based on research performance. In 2026, the U of A was ranked number two in the field of water resources. The U of A ranked #31 in water resources when compared to universities globally. 

The U of A Udall Center for Public Policy recently announced the creation of a new research group, the Research in Pollutant Policy for Environment and Society (RIPPLES) lab, to assess frameworks for regulating per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Although researchers across the university already collaborate to understand the impacts of PFAS in nature and society, this is the first group studying the topic from a policy perspective.

The WRRC has acquired an archive that documents activities of the Southern Arizona Water Resources Association (SAWARA) from 1987 to 2006. SAWARA was a community organization that advocated for water conservation and bringing the Central Arizona Project to Tucson.

Review by Lynn Carroll, WRRC Graduate Student Worker

With record setting hot weather this spring, it is feeling more and more like reading weather. As someone who is interested in public and private water systems, I was excited to read Gary Hix’s newest book, Groundwater Sharing Contracts: Well Share Agreements.

Last week, Lynn Carroll, a grad student assistant at the WRRC, presented her research findings at the 99th annual AZ Water Conference in Phoenix. Carroll’s study evaluated two point-of-use ultraviolet (UV) devices for water treatment that cost less than $500 to assess their suitability for household use and health protection.

On Thursday, April 30, 2026, the University of Arizona’s Drachman Institute for the Built Environment hosted their 2nd Annual Outreach + Community Impact Celebration to recognize exemplary student outreach and impactful community partnerships.

In March of this year, the USGS released a new online tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict stream flow in rivers across the country. The tool, River DroughtCast, which is free and accessible for public use, provides predictions on 3,000 rivers.