While some agencies across the U.S. West tie increased water use to increased cost, Nevada could be the first to give a water agency the power to restrict what comes out of residents’ taps in state statute to about 30,000 gallons above the average use.
If approved, Las Vegas water agency would be first in nation with power to restrict what comes out of taps.
While some agencies across the U.S. West tie increased water use to increased cost, Nevada could be the first to give a water agency — the Southern Nevada Water Authority — the power to restrict what comes out of residents’ taps in state statute to about 30,000 gallons above the average use. It’s aimed mostly at the top 10% of water users that use 40% of the water in the residential sector, spokesperson Bronson Mack said.
Water agency officials stressed during the two-hour hearing that the residential caps would not be used immediately, but rather if conditions become even more dire. The cap would be at about 160,000 gallons annually - an amount that about 20% of the agency’s customers use - with the average single-family residence using close to 130,000 gallons annually, per the agency.
By the next legislative session in 2025 drought conditions could be much worse, Watts said, and “we have to decide what usage to prioritize” before then. Yet the longer-term goal is for other Nevada to be a leader in responsible use of the Colorado River’s dwindling supply— even with deeper cuts looming.
In this April 15, 2015 file photo, a man takes a picture of the fountains in front of the Bellagio hotel and casino in Las Vegas.
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