Director’s Welcome

Welcome to the Center for Water and the Environment (CWE) at The University of New Mexico.

CWE advances equitable and sustainable stewardship of water, energy, and environmental resources in water-stressed regions. We achieve this by combining rigorous, engineering-driven research with education, workforce development, and public service that directly address real-world challenges faced by communities, utilities, and agencies.

Our work is distinctly interdisciplinary and solution-oriented. We integrate water resources and environmental engineering with the natural, social, and data sciences to develop place-based, systems-level approaches that strengthen both human and ecosystem resilience. From surface and groundwater systems to advanced treatment, remediation, and resource recovery, CWE focuses on translating science and engineering into actionable knowledge and practical tools.

Effective water and environmental solutions depend on strategic partnerships that bridge research, technical, financial, and institutional expertise. A key collaborator in this effort is the Southwest Environmental Finance Center (SWEFC), whose nationally recognized expertise in environmental finance, utility management, and capacity building complements CWE’s engineering and scientific strengths. Together, CWE and SWEFC support communities, utilities, and agencies by pairing technical innovation with financial, institutional, and implementation pathways that enable sound decision-making and long-term investment. At the same time, we prepare the next generation of STEM professionals through hands-on research, mentoring, and community-engaged training, positioning New Mexico’s talent to contribute to water and environmental solutions locally, regionally, and globally.

As Center Director, I am committed to strengthening CWE’s role as a trusted partner and a globally recognized leader in water and environmental engineering for water-stressed regions. I invite you to explore our work, connect with our faculty, students, and partners, and join us in shaping resilient and sustainable water futures.

Ricardo González-Pinzón
Interim Director
Center for Water and the Environment