University of Arizona researchers are looking for ways to protect the state’s water future, including plans to treat and desalinate wastewater for new use through a reverse osmosis system spearheaded by the Arizona Institute for Resilience's Water & Energy Sustainable Technology Center.
AIR Part of Project to Find Solutions for Arizona's Water Future
Oct. 27, 2025
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Bianca Miguel De Souza Chavez, a WEST researcher, prepares its water ultrafiltration machine.
Zoey Oberstein, Arizona Sonoran News
“We really need solutions to manage the water cycle, to make sure that there is more available, potable water in many places,” said chemical and environmental engineer Andrea Achilli, the Center’s deputy director.
Since the start of this year, the state’s drought conditions have worsened. About 60% of Southern Arizona is experiencing the second most severe level of drought, facing frequent water shortages and serious crop and pasture loss.
Roughly 6.4 million of the state’s 7.5 million residents are living in areas of drought.
The WEST Center’s primary focus is on treating wastewater for new use. With funding from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, WEST has developed a potable water reuse system.