Las Vegas NowWater Symposium Debates Drought & Growth

Water Symposium Debates Drought & Growth

(Oct. 19) -- A debate at UNLV focused on the drought and our growth. The university and Nevada Water Resources Association sponsored the panel discussion.

New construction must follow strict water regulations designed to conserve. Builders say they are working with the water authority to help the greater community stretch the resource.

Irene Porter, with the Southern Nevada Homebuilders Association, said, "We are building water smart homes today, just as we are building energy star homes."

But can an estimated 6,000 people a month moving to this area be supported by the Colorado River? The answer is complicated. If we keep our grass and build with grass landscaping, our water supply won't support long-term growth. But if we continue to build with desert landscaping, the Southern Nevada Water Authority says our growth could be unlimited.

Kay Brothers, with the Southern Nevada Water Authority, said, "We have had a tremendous savings because of the people not only in removing turf, but in changing clocks and abiding by the water restrictions."

General Manager Kay Brothers says we have reduced water consumption in Las Vegas over the past two years even with substantial growth.

Experts at a water symposium discussed the issue. With our current drought conditions, some believe we should not rely on that information that more extraordinary observation measures should be implemented and should be mandatory.

Others, like the water division chief for the Colorado River Commission, think Las Vegas should curb urban sprawl. Jay Davenport says," I think that Las Vegas needs to think about the prospect of growing up as well as out."

That's already happening along the north end of the Las Vegas Strip and planned for downtown.

"High rises use very little water outside, that extends the water supply," Kay brothers added. 

And Irene Porter said, "I think that you are going to have to mix all types of housing because not all people want to live in high rises."

In any case, the panel agrees that conservation will make the difference when it comes to surviving the drought.

No decisions were made at the symposium, just a time for discussion. Incidentally, the number one use for water in southern Nevada is power. Number two is irrigation right in our own backyard.