By Xoel Cardenas, Sr. Communications Specialist, Office of the Vice President for Research
Water is essential to life and a frequent research topic at the University of Utah. The growing populations, rise in demand for water, and the threat of changing water resources create a need to find solutions to our water challenges, both for the present and the future.
From analysis on how much progress is being made to preserve the Great Salt Lake, to engineers inventing a high-yield atmospheric water capture device for arid regions, to countless studies on water conservation, the U has led the way in water sustainability research and innovation for Utah, the intermountain region and beyond.
Aligned with the university’s commitment to solving real-world challenges, the U launched the Peak Water Sustainability Engine (PEAK Water) in 2024. Engines are research hubs that bring together faculty, communities, governments, and industry to engage key societal challenges.
“PEAK Water is an engine designed to support the development of water innovations and technology,” said Dr. Marian Rice, Associate Director of Peak Water Sustainability Engine. “It focuses on the interconnectedness of complex ecosystems: mountain headwaters to rural and urban systems, to the Great Salt Lake.”
Researchers, experts, policymakers, and community members recently gathered at the Ken Garff University Club on the U campus for the PEAK Water Sustainability Engine kickoff event. Speakers and presenters included Laura Briefer, Director at Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities; Soren Simonsen, Executive at Director Jordan River Commission; as well as several U of U professors.
How does PEAK address water sustainability?
How will PEAK Water help bring the needed solutions to Utah and the global community’s water sustainability challenges? Rice says PEAK Water has three pillars to support solutions to Utah and the global community’s water sustainability challenges.
“First, PEAK serves as a forum connecting interdisciplinary research community,” she said. “Second, PEAK fosters relationships with partners in water including professionals, industry, policy and decision makers, local and state government, nonprofit organizations, National Laboratories, and academic institutions. Finally, PEAK serves as scaffolding to support research efforts.
Fostering partnerships in the name of water sustainability
Collaboration is key in creating innovative solutions to societal challenges like water sustainability. Collaboration is also fundamental to innovative use-inspired research. A key pillar of PEAK Water is to foster partnerships to support use-inspired research. Rice said there are many examples of collaboration of talented faculty and partners.
“We have faculty who examine modeling of groundwater to aid water managers in making informed decisions;” she said; “faculty who examine solutions to ‘Forever Chemicals’ of PFAS/PFOA in water; and health sciences faculty who examine the impact of water access for underserved populations and the negative health impacts of contaminated water on disease.”
PEAK Water plays an active role in forging and fostering partnerships. For example, PEAK can convene events around a focused research area. PEAK hosts a Research Roster to serve as a forum for networking with researchers, develop research teams, and connect with external entities. PEAK also hosts a digital communication list to share water-related information such as funding opportunities, events, news, and more.
PEAK Water supports the NSF Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE), in which water security is a key R&D theme. Also, faculty and dedicated water professionals collaborate and serve on the PEAK Water Executive Council.
U leading the way in water research and policy
For Rice, one of the things that most excites her about PEAK Water is the opportunity to learn and support transformative research, as well as to serve as a forum to foster amazing partnerships with U faculty and external entities across the state of Utah and more.
“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with talented faculty across the University, water partners in Utah, and NSF SWSIE Partners,” she said. “I am appreciative of the support of our leadership at the University of Utah and the Office of the Vice President for Research on initiatives focused on ecosystem resiliency and public wellbeing such as PEAK Water.”
Thanks to its dedication to bringing water sustainability solutions to Utah and the global community, PEAK Water positions the U of U to be a nation and world leader in water research and policy.
“Water is essential to public well-being, from the drinking water provided by headwaters and groundwater to ecosystem services of the Great Salt Lake. Examining water through a holistic and collaborative approach, we can better understand how to address pressing issues from the local to the global level, thus informing the resiliency of water for future generations.”
Interested in joining our mission for water sustainability? Complete the PEAK Water Roster Form or contact Marian Rice via email at marian.rice@utah.edu.