April 8, 2026

Media Advisory: U of A conference will take a deep dive into water for tech, mining, and energy

• What: Media are invited to attend the Water Resources Research Center annual conference, "Water for Tech, Mining and Energy: Pathways to Arizona's Future."
• When: April 14-15
  • April 14: 1 p.m. opening remarks
  • April 15: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Where: University of Arizona Student Union Memorial Center, Grand Ballroom
• RSVP: Media who wish to attend may RSVP to Rose Brandt, rjbrandt@arizona.edu.

TUCSON, Ariz. — Experts will gather at the University of Arizona in April to examine challenges and opportunities for water stewardship in industries important to Arizona's economy and the nation's national security, notably data centers and chip manufacturing, mining and energy.

The Water Resources Research Center annual conference, "Water for Tech, Mining and Energy: Pathways to Arizona's Future," is set for April 14-15 in Tucson. The gathering of experts will focus on strategies, best practices, regulatory frameworks, partnerships and environmental considerations surrounding water and energy use in the tech, mining and energy industries. 

The WRRC has hosted conferences on a variety of topics, but this is the first conference with a focus on the water use of these sectors, said WRRC associate director Jamie McEvoy.

"It's not a research conference. It's not an industry conference. It's a conference for the people of Arizona," McEvoy said, noting that Arizona has long been at the forefront of water management. "People around the world often look to us to see how we're going to deal with the issues that they may soon be facing."

The conference brings together representatives from government, industry, non-profits and academia. This year's focus was chosen after water use in tech industries popped up in national discussions.

After an opening keynote address by Upmanu Lall, director of the Water Institute at Arizona State University’s Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, the first day will feature an overview of three industries – mining, energy production and high-tech.

Some sessions will look at how mining and tech companies have worked with municipal governments. Robert Sandoval, senior environmental compliance and policy leader from chip maker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, is set for a panel discussion with Phoenix Water Resources Manager Max Wilson. Superior Mayor Mila Besich and Town Manager Todd Pryor will speak with Vicky Peasey, president and general manager of Resolution Copper.

Environmental groups will be represented in the discussion by The Nature Conservancy, Environmental Defense Fund, Western Resource Advocates and the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance. John Lewis, managing director of Native American Energy for Avant Energy, will offer a keynote talk titled "Pressure Points for Tribal Country" and Pilar Thomas, an adjunct professor in the U of A James E. Rogers College of Law, will host a session on energy and tribal sovereignty.

There will also be an opportunity for in-person attendees to express their views in an open audience discussion session at the end of the first day, McEvoy said.

For those unable to attend in person, the conference will be available via a free, non-interactive livestream. Visit the conference website for more information. 

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Media Contact: 
Rose Brandt
College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences
520-358-9729
rjbrandt@arizona.edu

Established in 1885, the University of Arizona is the state's flagship, land-grant institution. The U of A ranks among America's top institutions, focusing on student access and success while driving a $1 billion research enterprise and engaging communities throughout the state, nation and world. As a leading Research 1 institution and member of the Association of American Universities, the U of A advances the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships. With two accredited medical schools, designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, recognition as a premier university for service members, distinguished programs in management information systems, planetary sciences, dance, photography, and public and applied humanities, the U of A offers the world to its students while uplifting Arizona.