From icy conservation to regional safeguarding: U of A specialists explore findings ahead of World Water Day

World Water Day falls on March 22, yet at the University of Arizona, research related to water is continuously a focal point throughout the year.

Founded in 1993 by the United Nations, World Water Day serves as a moment to “honor water and motivate action to confront the global water crisis” while emphasizing the significance of freshwater accessibility worldwide. The U.N. states, “2.2 billion individuals exist without safely managed drinking water services, resulting in severe consequences for their lives and broader society.”

The U of A is perfectly positioned to tackle the most urgent matters concerning water. The U of A has been designated No. 1 in the U.S. for water resources in the most recent ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects and No. 2 in the U.S. for water resources according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Global Rankings 2024-25. The U of A also ranks among the top 50 globally in physical sciences, as per Times Higher Education.

This year’s focus for World Water Day is icy conservation – a topic well-known to Jack Holt, a professor at the U of A Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and the Department of Geosciences. 

Holt directs Snow4Flow, a mission employing advanced airborne radar mounted to low-flying aircraft to investigate Arctic glaciers. The initiative, granted $30 million from NASA in 2024, aims to enhance understanding of how snow accumulation affects glaciers and the speed at which these glaciers advance. This research will aid scientists in providing more precise forecasts regarding glacier retreat and growth and their impact on sea-level fluctuations.

“To conserve something, one must be aware of its current state and the changes occurring,” Holt stated. “Glaciers throughout the Arctic are transforming rapidly, more so than anywhere else on Earth, yet we possess limited data regarding their thickness, ice volume, or annual snowfall contribution, which is vital for their sustainability. Snow4Flow will provide essential measurements necessary to address these questions and facilitate more accurate predictions of glacier health moving forward, in light of varying climate warming scenarios.”

Snow4Flow represents one of various interdisciplinary water research efforts – with significant local and international ramifications – currently being conducted at the U of A. Sharon Megdal, director of the university’s Water Resources Research Center, is engaged in numerous such initiatives, including research on water policy and management as well as educational and community engagement programs. Megdal also contributes to the WRRC’s Weekly Wave through her “Reflections” essay series, elucidating intricate water policy matters.

In this Q&A segment, Megdal elaborates on the significance of community-based water engagement and how Arizona’s distinct climate offers a prime setting for water research.

Q: For students keen on water research, what insights should they gain regarding projects that can have the most significant global influence?

A: In numerous aspects, water is incredibly localized. Among the diverse water subjects tackled by research and classes at the U of A are the availability and quality of groundwater and surface water; the water demands of cities, agriculture, industry, and ecosystems; and the strategies for designing and constructing water treatment and distribution facilities, infrastructures, and communities. Many of our scholars focus on the economic and policy dimensions of water, along with various conservation and efficiency strategies, flood management, and groundwater replenishment. Whatever it is, we are probing into it. Our water specialists disseminate their results with water practitioners and academics, ensuring that the water initiatives at the U of A yield effects spanning from local to global perspectives.

Q: What does the horizon of water research appear like in Arizona and other arid regions?

A: Water research will build on and broaden existing initiatives. I often mention how the water dilemmas we encounter possess qualities associated with what are termed “wicked problems.” Wicked problems are complex and cannot be solved with a singular answer. It necessitates collaborative, multidisciplinary efforts to tackle some of the substantial water issues we face, such as the disparity in Colorado River water supply and demand,and the depletion of our limited groundwater resources. Access to safe water and sanitation for everyone stands as one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. However, we have yet to accomplish this. Ongoing efforts will be required to engage with water users and communities to create the scientific evaluations and additional data necessary to recognize and execute strategies that lead to a sustainable water future.

Q: What actions can individuals take in their everyday lives to support water conservation?

A: I want people to be knowledgeable water guardians. Understanding water issues is crucial. Those who receive water from utility services ought to be aware of the origin of their water, and I do not refer to the faucet. Is their water derived from groundwater and/or surface water? Individuals should refrain from unnecessary water use and ensure they are aware of the advantages and drawbacks of proposals from their water providers aimed at adopting new technologies and/or water-saving practices. Water is an invaluable asset. We should all regard it accordingly.