From resorts to residents, every water user in Southern Nevada will be contributing to new conservation measures designed to significantly drive down water use.
The water-efficiency initiatives help ensure the Las Vegas Valley continues to thrive despite federally mandated shortage conditions that decreased Southern Nevada’s water supply by a combined 15 billion gallons in 2022 and 2023.
“Water efficiency not only protects our water supply, but it also makes us more water secure and increases our capacity to diversify and grow our economy,” said Zane Marshall, Director of Water Resources for the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). “We’ve made great progress in reducing our water consumption over the past 20 years in our response to climate change and protracted drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin, but we must continue to use every drop as efficiently as possible.”
Established conservation measures have helped Southern Nevada significantly reduce its water consumption. Preliminary water reports show the community used 31 percent less water in 2022 than it did in 2002, despite the addition of more than 780,000 new residents during that time span.
Due to climate change and more than two decades of drought in the Colorado River Basin, Lake Mead’s water level has dropped more than 170 feet, resulting in federal shortage declarations that reduced Southern Nevada’s annual Colorado River allocation by a total of 15 billion gallons in 2022 and 2023.
To build on the past success and to further drive down community water use, SNWA and its member agencies are rolling out new conservation measures, rules, and ordinances, including:
No New Golf Courses: Construction of new golf courses using Colorado River water supplied by SNWA’s member agencies is prohibited. Additionally, annual water budgets for existing golf courses are being reduced by more than 35 percent.
No New Water Features: The days of dancing fountains and active volcanoes have passed along with a prohibition on new water features at business properties, including on the Las Vegas Strip.
No New Evaporative Cooling: Evaporative cooling is Southern Nevada’s second largest water user after landscape irrigation, and the installation of these water-intensive systems is prohibited in new construction projects that apply for building permits on or after Sept. 1, 2023. Air-cooled technologies provide a more sustainable approach for future building designs.
No Grass at Existing Businesses: While new decorative grass installation has been prohibited at businesses for nearly two decades, a new Nevada state law requires that existing nonfunctional grass be replaced with water-smart alternatives at all businesses, HOAs, multi-family and government properties by the end of 2026.
No Grass at New Homes: Building codes now prohibit new homes from installing grass and spray irrigation anywhere on the property, making new residential development in the Las Vegas Valley among the most water smart in the nation.
Pool Size Limits: New residential pools and spas are limited to a maximum surface area of 600 square feet. This provides a functional-sized backyard pool and prohibits the construction of residential mega-pools.
Water Rates: SNWA member agencies are modifying water rate structures and usage fees to further encourage conservation.
“We’re taking an all-hands-on-deck approach and involving every sector of this community as we adapt to a warmer and drier future caused by climate change,” Marshall said, adding that SNWA provides programs and rebates to help the community be water efficient.
SNWA’s Water Smart Landscapes rebate awards a cash incentive of up to $3 per square foot of grass replaced with drip-irrigated plants and trees to qualifying properties. The Water Efficient Technologies program provides up to $500,000 to qualifying businesses and multifamily properties that install a variety of water-efficient devices, fixtures and technologies. The amount of the rebate depends upon the technology and where that savings occurs – indoors and outdoors. (Some restrictions apply.)
To further reduce community water use, SNWA and its member agencies are implementing new conservation ordinances and regulations. The measures include residential pool size limits and a prohibition on new golf courses and water features, including on the Las Vegas Strip.
Southern Nevada business owners, HOA boards and multifamily property managers are encouraged to contact SNWA to learn how they can be part of the conservation solution and qualify for cash incentives. For more information, visit snwa.com or email cashincentives@snwa.com.
