The University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) is seeking two post-doctoral research associates to fill 24-month positions beginning Spring 2022. The WRRC’s Water RAPIDS (Research and Planning Innovations for Dryland Systems) program is searching for an individual with advanced knowledge of geospatial platforms and concepts to plan and carry out independent and collaborative research that advances the understanding of water resources in Arizona and the wider region. A second position involves research for multiple WRRC programs, particularly Diversifying Voices in Water Resources (DViWR) and the WRRC’s outreach to, and engagement in, Arizona’s rural and Tribal communities, for the purpose of increasing water awareness and literacy and building capacity, especially among disadvantaged groups. Both positions require a PhD in a field with relevance to the position’s description and experience with science translation, stakeholder engagement processes, and water/natural resource policy. Both positions will be located at the WRRC in Tucson. For the full description of each position and application instructions, please visit the links below. Questions regarding these opportunities should be sent to seronde@arizona.edu.

Postdoc #1

Postdoc #2

Brown Bag Webinar: The Evolution of the Water Sector in Israel: The Role of Mekorot, the National Water Company of Israel

Date: Monday, Dec 6

Time: 12:00 - 1:15 pm Arizona Time

Location: Webinar Only

Speaker: Diego Berger, Ph.D., Coordinator of International Projects, Mekorot-The National Water Company of Israel

The severe scarcity of "natural" water resources has forced Israel to implement forward-thinking policies, create advanced technologies, and make decisions that were not always economically supported. Much labor and investment were required to address Israel’s lack of "natural" water resources. Key pillars of the Israeli Water Sector are (1) all water supplied/consumed must be measured, (2) all water resources belong to the Public and must be administered by the State for the well-being of all the inhabitants, (3) centralized management by the Israel Water Authority, and (4) the water sector is self-financing through water bills. Israel’s Integrative Water Resources Management (IWRM) includes reliance on surface water, groundwater, sewage use, brackish water, and desalinated seawater. Its management structure and master planning enable Israel to be prepared to face the consequences of year-to-year rainfall variability and climate change.

This presentation will explain the role of Mekorot in the implementation of Israel’s policies and IWRM strategies and will include discussion of supply system efficiencies, pricing policies, and use of effluent and desalinated seawater.

Jan 24, 2022: Uranium Uptake on the Navajo Nation

Ranalda Tsosie, Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Montana

Dec 6: Native Voices in Stem (NVIS) Fall 2021 Seminar Series

Joshua Moore (Diné), Indigenous Peoplehood Model for UArizona Cooperative Extension

On November 19, the WRRC hosted Betsy Wilkening, president of Polar Educators International, and Kristen Poppleton, senior director of programs for Climate Generation, for a Brown Bag webinar on their experiences at the United Nations 26^th Conference of the Parties (COP26). Wilkening and Poppleton attended COP26 as delegates from Climate Generation, a Minnesota-based organization that works to empower individuals to act against climate change in their communities. The presentation began with an explanation of what the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) does, including organizing the annual COP. Wilkening then outlined the three overarching goals of COP26: to limit warming to 1.5 degrees centigrade, to create a climate finance system to support developing nations hit hardest by climate change, and to develop a whole-of-society approach to solving this global problem. Poppleton then explained Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), which entails empowering all members of society to engage in climate action.

On November 16, as part of ongoing efforts by the University of California, Riverside, School of Public Policy to give policymakers, practitioners, and researchers an opportunity to discuss current pressing policy challenges, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal was invited to present, Tribal Water Dialogues in Arizona and the Colorado River Basin: Listen, Learn, and Listen.

After being introduced by Dr. Ariel Dinar, Dr. Megdal discussed the geographical and historical context of Tribal water rights in the Colorado River Basin (CRB). She noted the complexity of “wicked water problems” and underscored the collaborative and consultative nature of processes required to solve them. Specifically, Megal informed the audience, “Tribal participation is essential throughout all ongoing consultations.” This statement was made after Megdal traced an insightful history of the evolution of water management policy in the CRB and recent efforts to incorporate previously omitted Tribal perspectives through increased involvement and consultation. Examples included the development of the 2018 Tribal Water Study and the 2019 Lower Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plan.

APW is back in the classroom and out in the field! After a very long period of only offering online classes, APW presenters have been itching to get their hands dirty and wet. While the number of students might be down, the excitement and fun have only increased.

The WRRC welcomes UArizona student Thomas O’Halloran to its team. Thomas is a senior studying law, with a minor in Environmental Science. As a Student Communications and Outreach Assistant, his primary duties will be to assist in writing Weekly Wave articles. Hailing from outside San Francisco, Thomas enjoys the beach, snowboarding, and anime. He is passionate about politics and plays music during his free time.

On November 24, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) issued a public notice of Proposed Expedited Rulemaking for amendments to the state’s Assured and Adequate Water Supply Rules. The amendments were proposed as part of ADWR’s Five-Year Rule Review earlier in 2021, and are intended to make the rules consistent with pre-existing and new state statutes. The agency is accepting written comments on the proposed rules until 5:00 PM on December 23 and holding an oral proceeding earlier that day at 10:00 AM, at which time oral comments can be made. The notice linked below outlines the proposed amendments and contains information on how to submit written comments and/or attend the oral proceedings virtually.

WRRC Communications Coordinator

The Water Resources Research Center seeks a full-time staff member to coordinate the WRRC’s communications and engagement activities. The Communications Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the publication of the Weekly Wave e-news digest, Arroyo annual publication, and Brown Bag webinars, and work as part of a team to produce the annual report, annual conference, and other WRRC outreach products.

Please visit WRRC's website for a complete listing of water jobs & opportunities.

Kwon, Karen, and Jennifer Gimbel. “Quenching Thirst in the Colorado River Basin.” Colorado State University. Colorado Water Center, July 2021. https://watercenter.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2021/11/FY21-CoWC-Annual-Report-11022021.pdfAnnual-Report-11022021.pdf.