Cool, clear water in Arizona

Marco Morales, Ph.D.
May 14
4 min read

Today, I’d like you to read this column while listening to Cool Water by Marty Robbins (https://music.youtube.com/search?q=cool+water+marty+robbins), one of Arizona’s iconic voices, who sings about thirst in the desert, about the hope of trees and of water.

A year ago, I too was waiting for the May rains to irrigate my fields of gold, throat dry in the desert, praying for fresh, clear water. One of those afternoons—when the clouds descend and a soft misty rain falls, the old “chipi chipi” our grandparents used to talk about—I was sitting in that eternal shopping mall courtyard, reading One Thousand and One Nights. At that very moment, our song began to play. I sent a voice message, moved by the coincidence, and immortalized the moment on the book — written by my own hand: “Fields of gold.” That’s exactly how she found me, the first time we embraced.

Without the taste of water, cool water

Old Dan and I with throats burned dry

And souls that cry for water, cool, clear water

Maybe Arizona benefits from visits by Dr. Water, because the last afternoon and evening I spent there—on April 18, 2025—it said goodbye with a heavy rain over the desert. Two days earlier, I had the honor of being a speaker at the 98th Annual Conference of the Arizona Water Association—truly a milestone in my professional career. Can you imagine a Guatemalan showing up with fresh ideas about the water future of cities like Phoenix and Tempe, and presenting them to the very experts who live there?

I came with the humility of someone who doesn’t speak English as a first language; with the confidence of someone who is passionate about water; and with an open heart to share what my company, Water Co., has to offer the developed world. In this case, a proposal to mitigate urban heatwaves through water balance and water reuse—an idea born on the ever-green riverbanks of the Motagua, the driest valley in Central America, where I did my doctoral thesis.

*Urban trees in Phoenix. Shade, silence, and a glimps of resilience. (Photo by Dr. Water, April 2025*

Keep a-movin', Dan,

don't you listen to him, Dan

He's a devil, not a man

And he spreads the burnin' sand with water

Dan, can you see that big, green tree?

Where the water's runnin' free

And it's waitin' there for you and me?

Water, cool, clear water

But as often happens, I went to give a little… and received so much more. I received the warmth of a professional community admirable for its values, its cohesion, and its deep sense of belonging.

Speaking at the 98th Annual Arizona Water Conference — a full room, thoughtful questions, and meaningful conversations. (Photos by Dr. Water, April 2025).

And I’ve participated in water conferences in San Francisco, Singapore, Vienna, Chile, Spain, and Central America—but the charisma, the welcome, and the spirit of water I found in Arizona were truly unique. I dare say: water has a soul there.

They filled the room where I gave my talk, asked complex questions, nodded while listening to the answers, and came up afterward with kind words and sincere gratitude.

I was deeply moved during the awards event honoring Arizona water professionals—for their history and dedication, for their technical and operational achievements, and also for their volunteer service. A professional community that embraces you and welcomes you, like a dry throat welcomes water. That’s how I felt. What an example for us in other countries!

Celebrating decades of dedication. Arizona’s water professionals honored for service, innovation, and spirit. AZ Water Conference 2025 (Photo by Dr Water, April 25).

For a few days, I felt like part of something. I was offered work, and I returned with many new business opportunities that I hope to make real. I began to believe in myself again—as Dr. Water. I rediscovered my motivation and my vocation.

Water in the desert is scarce. Investments in the Global South are limited and the challenges multiply. Hopelessness is abundant—just like in times of grief and goodbyes. You may feel desperate, scorched by the sun and exhaustion. But my friend, my son, my colleague, my love—we must persevere.

The shadows sway and seem to say

"Tonight we pray for water, cool water"

And way up there He'll hear our prayer

And show us where there's water

Cool, clear water

I have no words to thank the desert of Arizona for what it did for me. For the people who looked me in the eyes, who appreciated who I am, and told me so. They awakened something in me. I hope to return soon to gaze again at those magnificent skies that light up like your eyes.

The nights are cool and I'm a fool

Each star's a pool of water, cool water

And with the dawn I'll wake and yawn

And carry on to water

Cool, clear water