"The project promises to strengthen European research capacity in the USA, promote competitiveness of European research and industry while informing and involving policy-makers and the general public.Opening the UMI to European partners responds to the need for 21st Century interdisciplinary and multiregional collaboration regarding water sustainability. We have exhausted the 20th century paradigm of technocratic or institutional solutions and are compelled to apply multi-faceted approaches that combine physical, natural, and social sciences, along with governance perspectives.This extension of the UMI broadens its current activities from a bi-national focus to one that incorporates ideas, disciplines and methods from Europe. By connecting the UMI with Europe, scientific cooperation will enhance ongoing activities, bring new projects, establish a foundation for future collaboration in the framwork of a EU/USA Sustainable Water Centre (SWC). A Feasibility Study will fully explore how the UMI will achieve this major institutional step.To optimise the cooperation among partners, three major transverse themes will structure the work plan: Climate change and uncertainty, Risks and vulnerabilities and Participation. Work Packages are: 1)Water resources sustainability, 2) EU/USA issues in water governance, 3) Water demand and sustainability, 4) Urban water: EU/USA common models 5) Feasibility Study, 6) Management Strategy; 7) Dissemination/communication."