Measurable impacts to Arizona’s water security through technological developments, partnerships and applied research.

Generating solutions for water and climate resilience

The Arizona Water Innovation Initiative is a statewide project led by the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory in collaboration with Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Through this initiative, ASU works with industrial, municipal, agricultural, tribal and international partners to rapidly accelerate and deploy new approaches and technology for water conservation, augmentation, desalination, efficiency, infrastructure and reuse.

The state of Arizona invested $40 million in ASU to lead this multi-year initiative that helps ensure a regional thriving future with a secure future water supply. The Arizona Water Innovation Initiative expands the work ASU is already doing in hydrology, engineering, policy and management throughout Arizona and across the Southwest and scales those advancements to implement evidence-based solutions.

Learn about our first year accomplishments and future plans in our 2023 Arizona Water Innovation Initiative Year in Review.

image of arizona mountains and streams in the shape of the state

The Arizona Water Innovation Initiative will strengthen water resilience while enhancing economic competitiveness, supporting high-value job creation and recruiting and retaining leading industries.

Michael M. Crow, ASU President

Michael M. Crow, ASU President

Our Impact


This initiative is being implemented rapidly to meet the pressing nature of our state's unprecedented water challenges. It's more vital than ever that we all - communities and residents of the greater Southwestern region - work together on shared goals to affect change.

The Arizona Water Innovation Initiative, funded to ideate and innovate solutions over a multi-year period, is focusing on five key areas.