Our Contributors
Meet the experts, educators, and partners contributing to trusted water knowledge in Arizona.
About Us
Explore our mission, impact, and commitment to improving water literacy across Arizona.
About Real Water Arizona
Real Water Arizona is dedicated to providing comprehensive water education resources for Arizona communities, real estate professionals, and the general public. Through accessible courses and resources, we empower individuals to make informed decisions about water usage and understand the critical role water plays in Arizona's development. Our mission is to increase public awareness about water issues, infrastructure, and conservation practices that affect our state's future.
Real Water Arizona brings together trusted, research-based resources into a single, easy-to-use digital platform. By improving access to credible information, the initiative supports more informed real estate practitioners and consumers, and strengthens public understanding of Arizona’s water future.
Our Mission
Our mission is to improve water literacy in Arizona by equipping real estate professionals and educators with accurate, accessible, and actionable water knowledge.
Real estate professionals are often the first point of contact for individuals and families making decisions about property. Our research shows that the majority of agents regularly discuss water with their clients, making them a critical “frontline” source of information.
Developing the Real Water Arizona Professional Certificate program:
- Strengthens the quality and consistency of water education in real estate
- Provides tools that support confident, informed conversations about water
- Promotes responsible decision-making with an awareness of long-term water sustainability concepts
- Bridges the gap between technical water expertise and everyday understanding
- Elevates agents/brokers’ consumer protection strategies for real property investment and associated water considerations.
- Aligns with the Arizona Department of Real Estate goal to have more water informed licensees interacting with the public.
By empowering professionals with reliable knowledge, we help protect consumers, support resilient communities, and contribute to Arizona’s long-term water security.
Expert contributors include:
- water resource experts and researchers
- real estate educators and licensed professionals
- State agency partners, including the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE)
- Instructional designers and user experience researchers
- Community stakeholders across urban and rural Arizona
Meet Blue
Your smart assistant for understanding water in Arizona. ASU has developed a few different versions of the Arizona Water Chatbot. One of these versions is featured on the Real Water Arizona platform, and we call it "Real Water Bot". With specific training instructions and source material, Blue is ready to answer real estate specific questions that relate to water resources.
Design & Research
Explore the design and research process behind building Real Water Arizona.
Course Observations
Eighteen water-focused CE courses were observed using a standardized rubric to measure content coverage, source credibility, accuracy of materials, and the instructors ability to answer questions. Observers assessed courses of varying formats (1-hour, 3-hour) and delivery modes (online, in-person) to ensure a diverse data set.
User Interviews
Eighteen water-focused CE courses were observed using a standardized rubric to measure content coverage, source credibility, accuracy of materials, and the instructors ability to answer questions. Observers assessed courses of varying formats (1-hour, 3-hour) and delivery modes (online, in-person) to ensure a diverse data set.
Regional Workshops
Eighteen water-focused CE courses were observed using a standardized rubric to measure content coverage, source credibility, accuracy of materials, and the instructors ability to answer questions. Observers assessed courses of varying formats (1-hour, 3-hour) and delivery modes (online, in-person) to ensure a diverse data set.
Surveys
Eighteen water-focused CE courses were observed using a standardized rubric to measure content coverage, source credibility, accuracy of materials, and the instructors ability to answer questions. Observers assessed courses of varying formats (1-hour, 3-hour) and delivery modes (online, in-person) to ensure a diverse data set.
Earn Industry-Recognized Certificates
Complete courses and assessments to earn certificates that validate your expertise in water resource management. Share your achievements with employers and colleagues.
Our Team
The people driving innovation in water education, research, and digital experiences
Danielle Storey
Principal Investigator & User Experience Researcher
Global Futures Laboratory - ASU
Harry Cooper
Co-Principal Investigator and Director of Water Conservation Innovation
Arizona Water Innovation Initiative - Global Futures Laboratory - ASU
Poorva Ketkar
User Experience Researcher and Designer
Arizona Water Innovation Initiative - Global Futures Laboratory - ASU
Amber Hedquist
User Experience Researcher and Instructional Design Specialist
Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of English, Carnegie Mellon University
Emma Noble
User Experience Researcher and Instructional Design Specialist
Graduate Research Associate - Arizona Water Innovation Initiative
Vriddhi Shah
User Research, UI/UX Design, Interaction Design, Web Development
Graduate Services Assistant - Arizona Water Innovation Initiative
Claire Lauer
Information Architect and User Experience Expert
President's Professor, CISA - School of Applied Professional Studies
Susan Craig
Director Impact Water Arizona
Arizona Water Innovation Initiative - Global Futures Laboratory - ASU
VisLab
Creative Web Development and Video Production