by Xochitl Campos
Daily Lobo
Water is the lifeblood of New Mexico, said Jose Rivera.
"Without water on the land there would be no life," he said.
Rivera, who spoke on the cultural and historical importance of water, was one of the many water specialists speaking at a forum in the SUB on Friday.
"The future of water is the question," Rivera said.
He said a major issue is how to sustain water growth in New Mexico.
"Growth is putting pressure on this resource," Rivera said. "That is why we need to study the quality, quantity and cultural values so that we can plan the future to accommodate different users. That way it is equitable, fair and just."
The event was organized by Tim Ward, a civil engineering professor, whose vision was to bring a variety of disciplines available at the University to the forum to discuss the water problems New Mexicans face.
"We're trying to get different people on campus to talk about how we can work together better so we can collaborate more and improve UNM's water saving abilities," Ward said.
Ward said the problem is not something that can be solved singularly by civil engineers or biologists alone, but is going to involve a group effort among all available fields. Interdisciplinary work was a primary focus of the forum.
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Panel discussions were held where professors of law, biology and civil engineering discussed water issues with specialists and graduate students to improve communication among the assorted fields.
"It is going to involve leaving egos at the door and trying to solve the problem," said Mike Hightower, a water specialist from Sandia National Laboratories. "It is going to have to be collaborative, period."
Alyssa Neir and Andrew Funk, both graduate students, said UNM's water resources program is unique because it requires students to develop backgrounds in a variety of subjects.
"You see different perspectives and you are exposed to all different disciplines, and you can apply it," Neir said.
Funk said it is beneficial to have a background in multiple disciplines because of the prevalence water has on our society.
Members of the panel agreed public awareness in the education system is the key to moving forward on the issue.
"We have to convince the educators to do more," said Bruce Thomson, a professor in civil engineering.
Thomson said he offered to speak to elementary students about water sustainability, but he was turned down because he was told the class's curriculum was "too full."
Rivera, who is a professor at the School of Architecture and Planning, agreed that water education was important.
"Education has a higher payoff than litigation and lawsuits," he said.
