Events
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Past Events
Quick recap The Water Alliance of La Paz County held its first official virtual meeting to discuss groundwater issues and upcoming legislation affecting the region. The meeting covered basic groundwater information presented by Neha Gupta from the University of Arizona, updates on the Renegras Plain Basin Active Management Area (AMA) designation, and detailed discussion of
Rural Groundwater Resilience in La Paz County
In March 2025, community members, water experts, local leaders, and stakeholders gathered in La Paz County for the first Rural Groundwater Resilience Workshop, a two-day event focused on understanding and protecting the region’s groundwater resources. The workshop was part of the Impact Water – Arizona initiative, led by the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative at Arizona State University in collaboration with partners including the University of Arizona’s Arizona Institute for Resilience and the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy.
The workshop brought together participants from across sectors—including agriculture, renewable energy, economic development, local government, and water management—to learn about the condition of local groundwater basins and discuss strategies to strengthen long-term water resilience in rural Arizona.
Understanding Local Groundwater
Participants heard presentations from water researchers and policy experts about how groundwater systems function in La Paz County and across Arizona. These sessions helped clarify key issues facing rural communities, including:
- Declining groundwater levels in some basins
- The role of agriculture and economic development in water use
- The legal and regulatory framework governing groundwater in Arizona
- The importance of community engagement in water planning
These discussions helped connect scientific data with local knowledge and experiences, giving participants a clearer picture of how groundwater challenges affect communities across the county.
Community-Driven Solutions
A central goal of the workshop was to identify locally driven ideas and strategies for improving groundwater sustainability. Through facilitated group discussions and breakout sessions, participants explored potential approaches to strengthen groundwater resilience.
Participants generated more than 35 ideas and potential strategies, including concepts related to:
- Improving groundwater monitoring and data access
- Increasing public awareness and water education
- Encouraging conservation and efficient water use
- Supporting collaboration among communities, agencies, and water users
- Exploring policy and management approaches that protect rural aquifers
These conversations emphasized that long-term water sustainability requires cooperation between residents, water users, policymakers, and scientific experts.
Building Momentum for Water Stewardship
The La Paz workshop was an important early step in building a stronger community network around groundwater awareness and stewardship. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, the event helped foster dialogue, trust, and collaboration among people who share a common interest in protecting the region’s water resources.
The ideas generated during the workshop continue to inform ongoing efforts to strengthen groundwater resilience and support sustainable water use in La Paz County.
Learn More
To learn more about the Rural Groundwater Resilience Workshops and the Impact Water – Arizona initiative, visit:
https://azwaterinnovation.asu.edu/rural-groundwater-resilience-workshops/impact-water-arizona-community-pages-la-paz