February 15, 2019 / Volume 7, Issue 5

Leslie Meyers Talks DCP during  
WRRC Conference Keynote  
The WRRC had the good fortune of holding its conference on February 1, one day after the Arizona State Legislature signed legislation agreeing to the Drought Contingency Plan (DCP). Leslie Meyers, Area Manager, Phoenix Area Office, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, addressed the recent signing of the DCP as the 2019 WRRC Annual Conference keynote speaker. In her keynote address, Meyers congratulated legislators and the state for "pulling together for a statewide plan." Meyers also noted that while the Arizona passage of the DCP is "a tremendous step forward," the DCP is still incomplete. "Close isn't done," Meyers said. For more of her remarks, see Meyers's presentation and others on our WRRC website. 
 
 
Photo: Lynn Ketchum, UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
WRRC EVENTS
Image credit: NIEHS_
February 20, 2019
 
Speaker:  Mark L. Brusseau, Professor, UA Department of Soil Water and Environmental Science
 
 
The use of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in numerous industrial, commercial, and military applications has resulted in their widespread distribution in the environment. Research reports have demonstrated that PFAS are present in the atmosphere, surface water, sediment, soil, groundwater, treated wastewater, biosolids, landfill leachate, and drinking water. This presentation will briefly discuss the nature, sources, and properties of PFAS, their transport, and fate in the environment, with example case studies. 
UPCOMING BROWN BAGS

 

  • March 14 Crystal Tulley-Cordova - Stable isotopes in precipitation and meteoric waters: Investigating the North American monsoon across the Four Corners region
  • March 19  Monica Ramirez-Andreotta and Jean McLain - Project Harvest
  • March 28 104b Grant Recipients Presentations
     
  • April 24 Tanya Quist - UA Arboretum Integrates Desert Landscaping and Tree Shade Project into its Website
OTHER EVENTS
February 23, 2019
 
Time:         9:00 a.m.  
Location:  Mediterra Tile Works, 2013 Frontage Road (just north of Tumacacori Mesquite Sawmill) 
   
Please be prompt!  There will be a safety briefing and team assignments. Wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and work gloves if you have them. Bring a reusable water bottle.  Water will be provided for refills.   
 
Check  Friends of the Santa Cruz River Facebook page for updates.      
WRRC NEWS
The Annual WRRC Chocolate Fest is a tradition worth celebrating! This afternoon, you can end your busy week with water colleagues at the WRRC Chocolate Fest! Fifteen years ago the idea for this fun event originated when Kathy Jacobs, was working at the WRRC and thinking about the book Like Water for Chocolate. After a few lively discussions with Bonnie Colby and Val Little, and with Jackie Moxley on board, the idea was born: "Like Water AND Chocolate". It quickly became an annual event - festive decorations and delicious chocolate treats as well as great chats with fellow water/chocolate lovers coming in from local government, non-profits, and the University. This year, we are also honoring the WRRC 2019 photo contest winners and all the photo entries will be in the slide show. Photos from our 2019 Conference will also be displayed.
 
Bring your favorite chocolate delight to share and join us this afternoon in the WRRC Sol Resnick Conference Room (350 N. Campbell Avenue). We will start gathering at 3:30 pm and stay until all the chocolates are gone, or until 5 pm, whichever comes first.

The first annual Arizona Water Professionals Appreciation Week is April 14-20, 2019, thanks to Rep. Rosanna Gabaldon's Arizona House of Representatives resolution.  This recognition program was started by members of the water industry to recognize our role in clean and sustainable water supplies, draw attention to career opportunities in the water industry, and increase awareness of Arizona's unique water resources.  The water industry offers a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities in high-demand occupations such as engineering, hydrology, water operations, biology, policy, economics, business administration, law, and communications. 
 
Show your support of Arizona Water Professionals by registering today.
 
 
APWAPW Student Perspective on Arizona Water Issues and Scarcity   
           
 
Recently, Taylor Dew had the pleasure of attending the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) 2019 Annual Conference during what I believe to be a historic time for water policy in Arizona. The Arizona Legislature passed a bill creating a Drought Contingency Plan for Arizona to help protect our water supply for the future the night before the conference,  I wasn't even alive when the last comparable legislation was passed in 1980. I was particularly interested in the conversations about the numerous problems throughout the state of Arizona and the creative solutions proposed to help mitigate these issues. The problem at the forefront of my mind in the weeks after the WRRC conference is the low quantity of water all over the state and the difficulty of effectively modeling the groundwater supply of most of the regions in the state. As a student studying Environmental and Water Resource Economics, I am very intrigued and eager to learn more about the topics that will be discussed at the conference next year.
  
  
nowwTake Survey to Participate in Drought Research 
 
The Drought Nexus project, a partnership between the University of Arizona and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, has posted a survey intended to identify opportunities and roadblocks to successful communication on drought between stakeholders and researchers. It covers perceptions of drought, impacts of drought, and responses to drought. Your answers are needed to help researcher focus on stakeholder priorities and improve their science communication. The survey is expected to take 15-20 minutes, and responses are needed by February 28th.
     
Story5 Don't Miss the 2019 Sustainable Landscapes Expo  
 
The 2019 Sustainable Landscapes Expo, hosted by Pima Smartscape, Tucson Water, and the UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will take place on Saturday, March 23rd. This family-friendly event will include over 30 exhibits to increase your knowledge of efficient water usage and sustainable landscaping in the Southern Arizona desert. Enjoy food trucks, a water station, magic shows, flash talks, and live music!  It's FREE!
      
ANNOUNCEMENTS