Water Conservation in Vegas: The Truth About Our Water

Drowning in Droughts//Preserving water is extremely important when there is such a limited amount. Vegas goes to great lengths to make sure the residents have enough water, but it’s up to us to use it wisely. (Photo by Caleigh Burns)

Las Vegas only sees four inches of rain a year. Yet, it powers fountains, golf courses, and a metro area of over 2 million people. So how does a desert city survive on so little? As water levels plummet and drought becomes the new normal, the city faces a critical question: how do you keep the lights on and the taps running in a place built on borrowed water?

As a desert, Las Vegas is one of the driest cities in the U.S. Most of the water comes from Lake Mead via the Colorado River. With this as one of Vegas’ only sources of fresh water, levels have begun to plummet; in the past 20 years, Lake Mead has dropped more than 150 feet. This creates concerns for the residents, leading to the creation of our water conservation system.

An important part of water conservation starts with the residents. There are signs posted across the Clark County desert that tell many what their watering schedule must be for their plants. According to the Las Vegas Valley Water District, the current watering schedule for May through August is four days a week, and you are not allowed to water between 11am-7pm, or on a Sunday. Watering outside these times or more than someone should is considered water waste and may result in a water waste fine. These fines range from approximately $40 to over $5,000, with fees escalating for repeat violations and depending on your specific meter size and water provider.

Las Vegas must also have restrictions and regulations on water to keep it from being wasted. In addition to the watering schedule restrictions, pool sizes are limited to 600 square feet according to the City of Las Vegas. There are also bans on certain water features like fountains, and incentives for grass removal. Alongside those, education programs and resources are provided to help residents and businesses understand water conservation practices.

The most important part of Las Vegas’ methods to conserve water is recycling. Las Vegas recycles nearly all indoor water, treating it and reusing it for irrigation of parks, golf courses, and other uses. This recycled water is also used for return-flow credits, meaning it doesn't count against the city's Colorado River allocation, according to the Southern Nevada Water Authority.

This comprehensive recycling program allows the city to significantly reduce its reliance on the Colorado River.

Despite the plethora of things you may hear about water in Las Vegas, we are not running out. In fact, Las Vegas is the most water secure city in the Desert Southwest and a global leader in water conservation, recycling, and reusing according to Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. Las Vegas’ commitment towards water conservation heavily aids their rank of the #6 Most Sustainable City in America according to Battleface. Many people think Vegas’ water supply is diminishing because of the acts they put in place, but they aren’t. In fact, Vegas is putting these acts into place to make sure the residents never run out of water. Still, it’s up to everyone to do their part and conserve whenever possible to keep our supply sustainable.