In his recent annual letter, “Celebrating Our First Year Together: U of A 2024-25,” U of A President Suresh Garimella highlighted the essential role of engagement across the university and spotlighted the WRRC as one example of how the university brings people together.

One Tucson household has released a report describing their rainwater harvesting efforts over the past two decades to show that rainwater harvesting is a viable option for conserving water in the arid southwest. Biologists Charles J. Cole and Carol R. Townsend installed a rainwater harvesting system in their home in the Tucson Mountains, allowing them to gather enough water to fully sustain nearly all their household water needs, including providing for a vegetable garden and swimming pool.

The WRRC is pleased to announce that Elia Tapia, a longtime collaborator and friend to the WRRC, recently joined our staff as the new Associate in Extension, TAAP & Water RAPIDS. Welcome to the WRRC, Elia!

On Thursday, September 4, 2025, Luke Cole presented a WRRC Water Webinar, titled “The Santa Cruz: A River of Transition and Hope.” Dr. Cole, who is the Director of the Santa Cruz River Program at the Sonoran Institute, paid tribute to the Santa Cruz River, which has provided life-sustaining water for 12,000 years. Today, many stretches of the river are dry in areas where the bedrock is hundreds of feet deep; however, efforts are helping to refresh the flow of the Santa Cruz River in the Tucson area.

As the new school year begins, Arizona Project WET (APW) is preparing for another exciting season of water festivals across the state. Each year, these interactive events bring students together to explore the science of water, discover the importance of conservation, and gain the knowledge to become future water stewards.

As highlighted in last week’s Weekly Wave, several WRRC staff members attended the Arizona Association of Women in Water and Agriculture’s (AAWWA) Colorado River Update on August 26, 2025. There, we had the privilege of meeting Samantha Barncastle, the incoming Executive Director of Family Farm Alliance, who will be taking the reins as of November 1.

In our state, where every drop of water counts, researchers at the U of A are driving innovation and understanding to secure Arizona’s water future. Given substantial uncertainty in Arizona’s changing water conditions, U of A researchers are helping communities build more resilience. By combining innovation, collaboration, and long-term vision, scientists—and the funding sources that make their work possible—ensure that the state is better prepared for the water challenges ahead.

The month of September is shaping up to be a busy one for WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal, who is delivering talks to a wide range of audiences around Arizona. She notes that “There is much interest in water locally, statewide, and nationally, especially about what is going on in the Colorado River Basin.” These talks vary widely in scope, focus, and level of detail, but the participants are all actively seeking to learn more about water.

As the fall semester kicks off, many of you are feeling the excitement that comes with new opportunities and fresh starts. After a long, hot, and mostly dry summer, we hope you're returning to campus feeling rested, recharged, and ready to take on the year ahead. To all new and returning students, the WRRC wishes you a successful 2025–2026 academic year!

Water demand in Gila County is driven primarily by mining, which accounts for nearly half (49%) of total use. Agriculture—irrigation and livestock—accounts for 29% of demand, while municipal demand, including domestic and commercial use, represents the remaining 22%. Groundwater is the source of most (94%) of the county’s water supply.