Arizona Water Resource Newsletter
Water Resources Research Center
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ

Announcements

RFP: Water Resources Research Act, 104(g)

The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the National Institutes for Water Resources requests proposals for the National Competitive Grants Program (Section 104 G of the Water Resources Research Act), to support research on the topics of water supply and water availability. Researchers at Arizona state universities are eligible to apply and must submit their applications through the University of Arizona’s Water Resources Research Center. Proposals can be for projects of 1 to 3 years in duration and may request up to $250,000 in federal funds, with successful applicants required to match federal grant funds with non-federal sources.

Proposals must be filed on the Internet http://www.niwr.org by February 22, 2005. The WRRC then has until March 4, 2005 to review proposals and submit them to the National Competitive Grants Program. The RFP is available at https:/niwr.org/2005_104G_RFP or https://niwr.org/ There has not yet been a FY 2005 appropriation of funds for this program, but the amount available for research under this program is anticipated to be $1,000,000.

This is a highly competitive funding source. Last year, however, Shlomo Neuman of the UA Department of Hydrology and Water Resources received $131,976 to study “Forward and Inverse Transient Anaylytic Element Models of Groundwater Flow,” and, David Quanrud of UA Arid Lands Studies received $152,926 to study “Pharmaceutically Active Compounds: Fate in Sludges and Biosolids Derived from Wastewater Treatment.”

AWRA National Water Resource Dialogue in Tucson

The 2nd National Water Resources Policy Dialogue will be held in Tucson Feb.14 and 15. Convened by the American Water Resources Association and sponsored by 11 federal water agencies, the conference will include three keynote addresses and panel discussions on three key issues: infrastructure management, water resources supply and demand, and environmental quality. Speakers and panelists will be drawn from all levels of government, academia and the private sector. While key issues will be national in scope, within each key issue, western concerns will be addressed. Check the AWRA website (http://www.awra.org) for additional information.

Xeriscape Conference in Albuquerque

The Xeriscape Council of New Mexico is sponsoring the 10th Xeriscape Conference and Exhibits Feb. 24-26 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Key speakers include Robert Glennon, Shlomo Aronson, Randall Arendt, Gary Nabhan, David Salman and Art Ludwig.
The 2-day conference will be followed by a free-and-open-to-the-public day of seminars and exhibits on Feb. 26. The over 120 exhibitors will include nurseries, irrigation companies, landscape architects and designers, gravel/mulch companies, rain barrel companies, landscape art, etc. Online registration is available at: http://www.xeriscapenm.com

WQA Hosts Exhibit, Conference
The Water Quality Association is holding an exhibition and conference in Las Vegas, with the conference scheduled Mar. 29 - April 2 and the exhibition Mar. 30 - April 1. Titled WQA Aquatech USA 2005, the event will bring together a diverse group of water-related industries including process water, drinking water, ultrapure and wastewater for household, commercial and industrial uses. Lectures on water management will be provided, focusing on topics such as business operations and marketing. There will also be technical seminars available for key installation and maintenance visitors. Aquatech USA aims to provide a one-stop event that connects technologies, know-how, education, networking, and business opportunities to multiple water industries. For more information, check http://www.wqa.org.

WateReuse Symposium Call for Papers
The WateReuse Association issued a call for papers for the 2005 WateReuse Symposium to be held in Denver, Sept. 18 - 21, 2005. Sponsored by the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation, the WateReuse Symposium is devoted to water reuse and desalination. The Symposium theme is “Water Reuse & Desalination: Mile-High Opportunities.” Abstract instructions, including submittal form and water reuse and desalination subject areas, can be downloaded from the WateReuse Assoc-iation’s website at http://www.watereuse.org. Abstracts must be received by Feb. 9.

Membrane Tech Conference in Phoenix
Membrane technology, a process of purifying water, will be the topic of a conference in Phoenix on March 6-9. The Membrane Technology Conference and Exposition, co-sponsored by the American Water Works Association, the International Water Association and the European Desalination Society will showcase the newest applications and developments in the fast-growing field. Areas of focus will be regulatory and operational issues, membrane cost modeling, advances in technology, the latest research in the field and more. The conference will provide an opportunity for engineers, researchers and many others to gain new insights, share solutions and network with industry peers. For more information, visit http://www.awwa.org/conferences/membrane/