WRRC Director Highlights Innovation for Arizona Water
On Thursday, September 18, 2025, the University of Arizona Scottsdale Center hosted WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal for a CATalyst CHAT, titled “Dry Times, Bold Moves: Innovation for Arizona’s Water Future.” Drawing on decades of leadership in water policy, Megdal shared insights on Arizona’s groundwater and Colorado River water supplies and discussed the “wicked water problems” facing Arizona, as well as the innovation and collaboration necessary for addressing these complex issues.
The CATalyst CHAT series brings together U of A alumni, business leaders, and community members to hear from faculty experts tackling timely challenges. Dr. Megdal’s talk highlighted the ways in which Arizona has been a water innovator. For example, the Assured Water Supply Program, Arizona’s water banking and recharge, new rules and regulations regarding water re-use, and progress on Indian water rights settlements are important innovations. However, as Megdal emphasized, “the need for innovation has never been greater.” Policy innovations are needed for sharing the burden of reduced Colorado River flows, addressing rural groundwater management, and locating large, non-agricultural water users (e.g., data centers). Other areas for innovations include new technologies and incentives for reducing water use in the agricultural sector and new funding sources and projects for supplementing Arizona’s water supplies. Importantly, these innovations require public support for new policy changes.
Megdal’s Reflections on “Information, Innovation, and Impact”