As the Bureau of Reclamation considers imposing further water reductions of the Colorado River on the basin states, the Nevada legislature is proactively taking measures to reduce water use in its most populous county. Assembly Bill 220 would extend the authority of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, allowing the agency to limit single-family residential water use and require homeowners currently using septic systems to connect to the sewer system.

The water authority was created in 1991 to address regional water issues bringing together seven water and wastewater agencies from Big Bend, Boulder City, Clark County, Henderson, Las Vegas and serves 2.2 million residents in Southern Nevada.

If approved, the bill would be an additional tool in the state’s conservation arsenal geared at stretching its meager allocation from the Colorado River, granting authority to the agency to implement restrictions when the federal government declares water shortages. The bill, in its current version, would allow limits on residential use to .5 acre-feet per home per year, equivalent to about 163,000 gallons which is 30,000 gallons above average use. According to Bronson Mack, spokesperson for the water agency, the restrictions target the top 10 percent of water users who account for 40 percent of total use, many of those users consuming more water in one month than the average household does in a year.[1]

The bill would also require residents with septic systems to switch to the municipal sewer system if the sewer line is within 400 feet of their septic tank line and to switch to municipal water lines if a supply line is within 1250 feet of the resident’s; it is expected to affect approximately 15,000 residences in Clark County. [2] The requirement is intended to increase the amount of water recycled and available for reuse, but the bill is meeting resistance due to the cost involved for residents.

The Bureau of Reclamation releases its 24-month study each August and traditionally announces further water reductions for the Colorado River basin states at that time. The pressure is strong to enact legislation this year as the Nevada lawmakers won’t meet again for two years, and any water-related issues would be put on hold until 2025 unless a special session was called.

[1] Stern, Gabe. “Las Vegas Water Agency Seeks Power to Limit Residential Use.” New Haven Register, Associated Press, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/las-vegas-water-agency-seeks-power-to-limit-17835622.php.

[2] Haas, Greg. “Las Vegas Residents Defend Septic Tanks as Costly Switch to Sewer System Proposed.” KLAS, KLAS, 14 Mar. 2023, https://www.8newsnow.com/news/politics/nevada-legislature/las-vegas-residents-defend-septic-tanks-as-costly-switch-to-sewer-system-proposed/.