Nila Ardhianie advocated for water rights and environmental justice through her research, community mobilizing and campaigning efforts. She was the director of the Amrta Institute for Water Literacy, a non-profit research organization specializing in water issues of Indonesia. Nila’s voice powered the struggle against water privatization in Indonedia, and played a decisive role in the success of the 2015 campaign for remunicipalization of Jakarta's water network. Her work analysed Jakarta's water system, offered insights on the use of groundwater and its implications for water access, flooding and land subsidence in Semarang, gender and care in water management in Central Java, pesticide reform and community-based monitoring of multilateral development bank-financed programs and policies in Indonesia. Nila contributed to the field of environmental science through her ability to weave together insights from hydrology, law, economy, and history to produce robust recommendations to policy-makers. She consistently collaborated with researchers across disciplines, engaged with local communities, artists, and activists, and empowered young scholars in Indonesia and abroad. She continues to inspire those who have worked with her for her commitment to science that makes a difference.