TAAP News

Members of the WRRC Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP) team recently participated in two events highlighting cross-border collaboration and research on shared water challenges along the US–Mexico border. On October 20–21, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal and Associate in Extension Elia Tapia attended Bridges Over Water between Mexico and the United States: Cross-Border Solutions in Monterrey, Mexico. Convened by the Rosenberg International Forum on Water Policy and the Permanent Forum of Binational Waters, along with several institutional partners, the event brought together researchers, decision-makers, and stakeholders from both countries to exchange perspectives on shared water challenges and opportunities for cooperation.

On September 28, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal and Associate in Extension Elia Tapia presented on shared aquifers in the Arizona–Sonora border region as part of the University of Arizona Department of Environmental Science Fall 2026 Colloquium Series.

The February 2025 issue of the journal Water features an article by Professor Elia M. Tapia-Villaseñor of the Universidad de Sonora Departamento de Geología, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal, and Hydrologic Research Center Chief Research Scientist Eylon Shamir.

This month, the WRRC welcomes two new members to its team: Anna Msigwa and Luna Falk. Dr. Anna Msigwa, who is an accomplished visiting scholar, joins us from Tanzania through the PEER2PEER fellowship program and will be spending the next month working on a transboundary water security project.

This case study provides insights regarding factors that contribute to successful cross-boundary diplomatic outcomes in the Colorado River Basin. The highlighted factors are based on the author’s study of and participation in water policy and management within the Colorado River Basin, along with observations of other areas.

A presentation on the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP) by WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal was featured at the 50th anniversary celebration of the U of A School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) on October 9. The presentation covered the history of TAAP, its accomplishments since authorizing legislation was passed by the US Congress in 2006, and lessons learned through the years.

Last week, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal and Associate Director Jamie McEvoy traveled to Hermosillo, the capital of the Mexican state of Sonora, to participate in a Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP) workshop.

The Accelnet PEER2PEER program is seeking graduate students, postdocs, and researchers to complete Fellowships focused on transboundary water resource management in fall 2024 through spring 2025.

Published in January 2024 in Water Economics and Policy, the Policy Nook article titled “Crafting Binational Groundwater Agreements: Preconditions for Progress” examines the challenges impeding diplomatic advances in bilateral cooperation on transboundary aquifer sharing and explores opportunities, including a framework agreement for binational groundwater, to enhance stewardship of shared aquifers.