Water experts from across the nation recently gathered at University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center’s annual conference to examine the nexus between water and three industries – power generation, mining, and high-tech data centers and chip manufacturers.

The WRRC, with global reach and a long history of collaborations, is ideally positioned to host the gathering, which drew more than 700 attendees in person and online. It was designed to connect stakeholders for a conversation about where things stand and where they might go.

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One thread through several presentations and panel discussions was a need for collaboration on water issues. Even when all the pieces seem to be in place, it is impossible to move forward without connecting people, said Sharon Megdal, director of the WRRC.

“When we look at the challenges we're facing and the potential solutions to them, it is about figuring out things together. In many cases we do have the technology, and there may be funding. Very often it comes down to the people factor. How do you get to, ‘Yes?’ How do you agree to do something?” Megdal said.

Seeing pitfalls is often easier than finding agreement, and conferences like this bring together stakeholders from every angle, leading to conversations that lead to action, she said.

Panels and presentations included representatives from academia, environmental non-profits, local, state and tribal governments and mining, power generation and tech industries.

The first day included introductions to mining, tech and power generation and how they access and intersect with the water supply, followed by a look at how communities plan for industrial water users.

Morning panels on the second day examined environmental and community perspectives, space-based data centers, low-impact copper extraction, nuclear power generation, tribal energy sovereignty and semiconductor manufacturing. Other day-two sessions included an examination of collaboration and a panel discussion about community engagement.

All sessions at the conference, which was available for free on Zoom, were recorded and, with speaker permission, will be available on the WRRC website after editing.

The WRRC, an Arizona Cooperative Extension center and research unit in the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, is the designated state water resources research institute established under the 1964 Federal Water Resources Research Act.

The center conducts applied water research and analysis, and its information transfer activities include publications, conferences, lectures, and seminars. The WRRC connects communities with research they can use through newsletters, bulletins, county-level water fact sheets and other communication. Water news and information are provided to the academic community, water professionals, elected and appointed officials, students and the public.