The recent exposure of Lake Mead’s Intake 1 is a stark reminder of the threat ongoing drought poses to Las Vegas’ water supply. Despite the challenging conditions, however, Southern Nevada is the most water-secure metropolitan area in the desert Southwest.
“We have two key advantages that protect our most critical water needs,” said J.C. Davis, enterprise conservation manager for the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). “First, we capture and recover nearly all water used indoors, so those uses are secure. Second, we invested more than $1 billion in a new intake and pumping facilities to draw water from near the bottom of Lake Mead.”
Understanding that Nevada’s Colorado River allocation will be curtailed as Lake Mead shrinks, the SNWA and its member agencies are implementing aggressive conservation measures focused on landscaping and evaporative cooling.
“Unlike other Southwestern cities, which could be left high and dry if Lake Mead falls below Hoover Dam’s outlets, the Las Vegas Valley is well-protected in terms of maintaining indoor uses,” Davis said. “However, outdoor uses must be reduced. We need to change the way we cool warehouses, resorts and large commercial buildings, and we need to get rid of ornamental grass.”
The SNWA is exploring a moratorium on water-cooled systems in new development. The SNWA also is funding studies to identify high-performing water-efficient cooling systems and determine the impact of alternative technologies on water consumption and energy use. Additionally, the SNWA offers significant incentives—up to 50 percent of the new equipment cost—for businesses willing to exchange their old evaporative coolers for more water-efficient systems.
If you have questions, call 702-862-3740 or visit snwa.com.
Lake Mead’s water level has dropped about 150 feet over the past 20 years, exposing Intake No. 1. As water levels continue drop, the SNWA and its member agencies are implementing aggressive conservation measures to protect the community’s water supply.
Progressive, new conservation measures aimed at protecting the community’s water supply include prohibiting grass and spray irrigation in all new developments and a possible moratorium on water-cooled systems in new development.
Some people swear that the hardest part of a construction project is getting the building permit. Maybe it’s because of guys like Bob?
The Government Affairs Committee convened an Evap Committee that has met weekly to monitor and respond timely to this issue. In March, NAIOP engaged the Desert Research Institute to prepare a case study estimating water and energy use from evaporative coolers for conditions specific to Southern Nevada.
Tina Quigley participated in a round table with seven NAIOP Principal and Board Members. She was also a panelist for the March Breakfast Program. On March 16th there was a meeting with the NAIOP Board, LVGEA and GOED to explore how we can work together and not in silos. These are early days, but they sure feel good!
The RTC has reconvened its Transportation Resource Advisory Committee and NAIOP SNV is involved. On March 24th, they organized a field trip for TRAC members to personally experience the Vegas Loop (Tesla’s transportation system, under the convention center) and ride in fully autonomous vehicles. Their pursuit is a fleet of autonomous taxis on the Las Vegas Strip.
Name: Lauren Willmore
Name: Edward A. Vance, FAIA
Name: Jennifer Weinberg
