Arizona State University will lead a multiyear Arizona Water Innovation Initiative to provide immediate, actionable, and evidence-based solutions to ensure that Arizona will continue to thrive with a secure future water supply.
The initiative will focus on six key areas:
- Water conservation: developing new technologies and strategies to reduce water use.
- Water augmentation: exploring new ways to increase the supply of water.
- Water desalination: developing more efficient and cost-effective ways to remove salt from water.
- Water efficiency: improving the efficiency of water use in homes, businesses, and agriculture.
- Water infrastructure: upgrading and expanding Arizona’s water infrastructure.
- Water reuse: developing new ways to reuse water.
The initiative will bring together experts from across ASU, as well as partners from industry, government, and the non-profit sector. The goal is to develop and implement solutions that can be used to address Arizona’s water challenges now and in the future.
“This is a critical innovation moment for water in the state of Arizona, and frankly for all seven basin states who have been sharing responsibility for creating water policy in this region for more than 100 years,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “The Arizona Water Innovation Initiative will strengthen water resilience while enhancing economic competitiveness, supporting high-value job creation, and recruiting and retaining leading industries.”
The initiative is being funded by a $40 million investment from the state of Arizona. Governor Doug Ducey announced the investment in November 2022.
“Arizona’s water future is our shared responsibility,” said Governor Ducey. “This investment in ASU will help us develop the innovative solutions we need to ensure that Arizona remains a vibrant and sustainable place to live, work, and raise a family.“
The Arizona Water Innovation Initiative is an important step forward for Arizona. The initiative will help to ensure that the state has the water resources it needs to thrive in the years to come.
What does this mean for the future of water in Arizona?
The Arizona Water Innovation Initiative is a positive development for the future of water in Arizona. The initiative will help to:
- Develop new technologies and strategies to address Arizona’s water challenges.
- Increase the supply of water.
- Reduce water use.
- Improve the efficiency of water use.
- Upgrade and expand Arizona’s water infrastructure.
- Develop new ways to reuse water.
The initiative will also help to create jobs and support economic growth in Arizona.
What is the next step for the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative?
The next step for the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative is to develop a detailed plan of action. The plan will outline the specific projects and activities that will be undertaken as part of the initiative.
The plan will also include a timeline for when the projects and activities will be completed.
Once the plan is developed, it will be implemented and evaluated. The evaluation will assess the effectiveness of the initiative in meeting its goals.
The Arizona Water Innovation Initiative is a significant investment in the future of Arizona. The initiative will help to ensure that Arizona has the water resources it needs to thrive in the years to come.