WRRC Webinar Highlights Key Findings from the ATUR Project
On August 13, 2026, the WRRC hosted a Water Webinar, A Guide to Key Findings of the Arizona Tri-University Recharge and Water Reliability (ATUR) Project Report, featuring five researchers from the U of A, Arizona State University (ASU), and Northern Arizona University (NAU). Presenters included Neha Gupta, Kathy Jacobs, Caelum Mroczek, Abe Springer, and Tianfang Xu.
The ATUR Project report and associated resources provide a comprehensive statewide assessment of opportunities to enhance groundwater recharge and fortify Arizona’s long-term water resilience. Supported by the Arizona Board of Regents, the collaborative project has produced tools for hydrologic modeling, climate science, geospatial analysis, and water management expertise to identify recharge opportunities across Arizona.
During the webinar, presenters introduced the ATUR Final Report and its suite of resources, including statewide findings, basin profiles, and geospatial tools. They also discussed groundwater recharge in the context of Arizona’s diverse landscapes and climate. The project’s website provides powerful tools for identifying statewide patterns and supporting strategic planning. Presenters emphasized that local recharge assessments must account for factors such as groundwater conditions, geology, and human water use. Looking ahead, projected increases in annual temperatures are expected to reduce recharge, particularly in Arizona’s mountainous regions, elevating the importance of understanding and strategically managing the state’s groundwater resources.