The University of Utah Water Forum on November 14, 2017, brought together UU researchers with local water resource managers, including a panel of representatives from Utah’s Division of Water Resources, Salt Lake City’s Department of Public Utilities, Utah’s Division of Water Quality, and Utah’s Division of Drinking Water.

The forum introduced the new U Water Center (UWC)  and the Society, Water, and Climate Research Group. Water Center Director Steve Burian outlined the vision for the new Center, whose goals mirror much of the Forum’s agenda: to make the work of the academic research community relevant and useful to solving real world problems. Professor Andrea Brunelle, Chair of the U’s Geography Department, also introduced the creation of the new Society, Water, & Climate faculty research group. This initiative has recruited several new faculty members and researchers onto the U’s campus, and will be working closely with the GCSC and the UWC in advancing water related research and innovation at the U.

The panelists and representatives from the U all agreed for the need for closer collaboration between public utilities and the U’s research community., an event that showcased several of the U’s most innovative programs focused on collaborative and interdisciplinary research addressing water issues. The event was co-sponsored by the Global Change and Sustainability Center, the U Water Center, and the Society, Water, & Climate faculty research group.