Water Stewardship
What Las Vegas was known as when it was first discovered quickly changed as the years passed. As thousands of years passed, rivers that once existed now sank into the ground and the marsh withdrew. The once luxurious and vast in resources piece of `land now became a dry and parched piece of land that supported very little plants and animals. Quickly after the water from the rivers that was once available all went underground as well and now has come back up to surface and had connected into the Colorado River. The presence of water is an important resource for further development that will be utilized more efficiently in years to come. Availability of water as a resource also makes Las Vegas an idea refueling point and rest stop for the railroads that would eventually be built. Having water close by is one of the major factors when it comes to planning the existence of a city or town. For Las Vegas, because of its already high temperatures, having a good source of water will aide in the development of the town and determining the existence of certain resources.
According to an article on 247wallst.com, Las Vegas is ranked as the 7th biggest city which is running out of water in the United States. Las Vegas is located in the middle of the Mojave Desert, and due to its geographical location, it only has an annual precipitation rate for an average of 10 cm. A sustainable fresh water supply is a necessity for Las Vegas and the only major water source is Lake Mead which is a substantial distance away. The Lake Mead supplies 85% of the water used in the Las Vegas Valley. However, the lake is facing its first water shortage ever, the lake is 59% empty with water (1). This phenomenon would affect the surrounding areas, such as other cities in Nevada and Arizona. Also, the hydro-power station in Hoover Dam could not generate energy without enough water supplies.
As one of the public agencies in Nevada, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) carried out few efficient programs that could reduce the consumption of water. As a result, the City of Las Vegas has been reducing its water use by 15 percent between 2002 and 2007, despite the addition of 400,000 new residents during that span and 40 million annual visitors (2). The SNWA’s Water Smart Landscapes program, which pays existing residents to replace lawn with drought-tolerant plants has encouraged approximately 30,000 Southern Nevada residents to replace more than 11 million square-meters of lawn, saving the community 25 billion liters of water each year (3).
The city council of Las Vegas encourages everyone to participant in the water saving programs, and the following programs are cooperated between the government of Las Vegas and the SNWA:
According to an article on 247wallst.com, Las Vegas is ranked as the 7th biggest city which is running out of water in the United States. Las Vegas is located in the middle of the Mojave Desert, and due to its geographical location, it only has an annual precipitation rate for an average of 10 cm. A sustainable fresh water supply is a necessity for Las Vegas and the only major water source is Lake Mead which is a substantial distance away. The Lake Mead supplies 85% of the water used in the Las Vegas Valley. However, the lake is facing its first water shortage ever, the lake is 59% empty with water (1). This phenomenon would affect the surrounding areas, such as other cities in Nevada and Arizona. Also, the hydro-power station in Hoover Dam could not generate energy without enough water supplies.
As one of the public agencies in Nevada, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) carried out few efficient programs that could reduce the consumption of water. As a result, the City of Las Vegas has been reducing its water use by 15 percent between 2002 and 2007, despite the addition of 400,000 new residents during that span and 40 million annual visitors (2). The SNWA’s Water Smart Landscapes program, which pays existing residents to replace lawn with drought-tolerant plants has encouraged approximately 30,000 Southern Nevada residents to replace more than 11 million square-meters of lawn, saving the community 25 billion liters of water each year (3).
The city council of Las Vegas encourages everyone to participant in the water saving programs, and the following programs are cooperated between the government of Las Vegas and the SNWA:
Government's Contributions
Public's contributions
The Irrigation Clock Rebate Program
Irrigation water is one of the major water usages in Las Vegas. In order to use the water wisely, the city government and the Southern Nevada Water Authority encourage their citizens to purchase a smart irrigation controller by providing a “Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate Coupon”. According to the product description by the SNWA, these controllers have the ability to predict the water needs base on the weather data and soil moisture, and they could improve the water efficiency by 15 to 30 percent (4).
Irrigation water is one of the major water usages in Las Vegas. In order to use the water wisely, the city government and the Southern Nevada Water Authority encourage their citizens to purchase a smart irrigation controller by providing a “Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate Coupon”. According to the product description by the SNWA, these controllers have the ability to predict the water needs base on the weather data and soil moisture, and they could improve the water efficiency by 15 to 30 percent (4).
Live In A Water Smart Home
The Southern Nevada Water Authority has partnered with the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association to develop the Water Smart Home program and promotes water efficiency. There are more than 900 homes participate in the program and they help the city save 75,000 gallons of water every year (5).
The Southern Nevada Water Authority has partnered with the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association to develop the Water Smart Home program and promotes water efficiency. There are more than 900 homes participate in the program and they help the city save 75,000 gallons of water every year (5).
Reference
1. Stockdale, Sauter and Mclntyre. (Oct. 2010). “The Ten Biggest American Cities That Are Running Out Of Water.” 247Wallst.com. Retrevied from http://247wallst.com/investing/2010/10/29/the-ten-great-american-cities-that-are-dying-of-thirst/#ixzz2aaxwI0bZ
2. Southern Nevada Water Authority. (Mar. 2009). “Sustainability: The Las Vegas Approach”. Retrieved from http://www.niph.go.jp/soshiki/suido/pdf/h21JPUS/abstract/r5-2.pdf
3. Water Smart Landscapes program. Retrieved from http://www.snwa.com/rebates/wsl.html
4. Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate Coupon. Retrieved from http://www.snwa.com/rebates/coupons_controller.html
5. Water Smart Home . Retrieved from http://www.snwa.com/biz/programs_home.html
6. Turf Conversion. The City of Las Vegas. Retrieved from http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/sustaininglasvegas/water.htm#conservation
Images (From top to bottom)
1. Retrieved from http://www.niph.go.jp/soshiki/suido/pdf/h21JPUS/abstract/r5-2.pdf
2. Retrieved from http://www.mwdoc.com/pages.php?id_pge=23
3. Retrieved from http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/images/sustain_water5.jpg
1. Stockdale, Sauter and Mclntyre. (Oct. 2010). “The Ten Biggest American Cities That Are Running Out Of Water.” 247Wallst.com. Retrevied from http://247wallst.com/investing/2010/10/29/the-ten-great-american-cities-that-are-dying-of-thirst/#ixzz2aaxwI0bZ
2. Southern Nevada Water Authority. (Mar. 2009). “Sustainability: The Las Vegas Approach”. Retrieved from http://www.niph.go.jp/soshiki/suido/pdf/h21JPUS/abstract/r5-2.pdf
3. Water Smart Landscapes program. Retrieved from http://www.snwa.com/rebates/wsl.html
4. Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate Coupon. Retrieved from http://www.snwa.com/rebates/coupons_controller.html
5. Water Smart Home . Retrieved from http://www.snwa.com/biz/programs_home.html
6. Turf Conversion. The City of Las Vegas. Retrieved from http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/sustaininglasvegas/water.htm#conservation
Images (From top to bottom)
1. Retrieved from http://www.niph.go.jp/soshiki/suido/pdf/h21JPUS/abstract/r5-2.pdf
2. Retrieved from http://www.mwdoc.com/pages.php?id_pge=23
3. Retrieved from http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/images/sustain_water5.jpg