University Municipal Water Consortium

Real-world innovation. Real-world verification. Real-world solutions.

States like Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia and Texas are in a race against time. Water supplies are declining while our cities continue to grow. For the first time, parts of the United States face a real risk of running out of water.

Now, over 25 water utilities have joined forces with private industry and researchers from Pecan Street and universities around the nation to solve this challenge. Through the University Municipal Water Consortium, they are harnessing the power of advanced technologies, cloud computing and data-intensive field research to accelerate water availability solutions.

There are many outstanding professional organizations serving the water utility industry. The University Municipal Water Consortium, however, has two unique qualities.

It is the only utility industry organization that operates ongoing utility field trials with real customers. Members receive unique access to actual data on how new technologies work, as well as on customer use and respond to various products, messages and programs.

In addition, members receive direct access to engineering faculty from top universities.

Members of the University Municipal Water Consortium receive the following benefits:

• work with utility project managers to define performance specifications for new utility infrastructure projects
• access to research, testing and data analysis equipment and facilities at Pecan Street’s Innovation Lab
• work with industry peers from other cities
• access to test results of third party products and services
• access to university researchers with expertise in municipal water systems
• opportunity to shape research priorities
• admission (varies by membership level) or priority registration (all levels) to the consortium’s annual conference.
• access to multi-governmental agency natural resources data

Pecan Street hosts the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) of the University Municipal Water Consortium. The TTO works to commercialize the inventions of the Consortium, spur entrepreneurship based on Consortium technology and provide a gateway for industry looking to utilize Consortium resources. Learn more about the TTO.

Companies or water managers or authorities interested in joining the consortium can contact Rachel Jenkins for more information  512-782-213.

Membership is free for universities and public water providers. Firms and companies interested in participating in or supporting the consortium’s university-based research and commercialization can choose between a range of membership levels.

The University Municipal Water Consortium’s applied research and commercialization are made possible thanks to support from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. Find out more about the Consortium’s activities and accomplishments this year.

Current Members

The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, University of California – Davis, Metropolitan State University of Denver, City of Allen, City of Arlington, Austin Water, City of College Station, City of Dallas, City of Corpus Christi, East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation, El Paso Water Utilities, City of Frisco, City of Georgetown, Home Builders of Greater Austin, City of Horseshoe Bay, City of Houston, City of Irving, City of Killeen, Lower Colorado River Authority, City of Mesquite, North Texas Municipal Water District, City of Pflugerville, Rio Grande Regional Authority, City of Round Rock, San Antonio Water System, San Jacinto River Authority, Tarrant Regional Water District, Texas Association of Builders, Texas Rural Water Association, Texas Rural Water Foundation, Texas Section – American Water Works Association, Texas Water Development Board, WaterSmart and City of Wylie.