Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Can I wash my car in my driveway?

Under Drought Watch and Drought Alert stages, car washing is limited to once a week per household vehicle.  You also need to use a leak-free hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle to control water flow.

There are no limits on how often you can wash your car at a commercial car wash. Commercial car washes capture water and deliver it into back into the local sewer system for reuse. Mobile car wash businesses are required to use high-pressure, low-volume sprayers and less than 10 gallons of water per vehicle.

Q:  Can I operate the fountain in my backyard?

Yes, though the drought ordinance sets size limitations depending on the level of drought:

-          Under Drought Watch conditions single-family homeowner fountains with less than 200 square feet of surface area (10 feet wide by 20 feet long) can operate.

-     Under Drought Alert conditions, fountains under 25 feet of surface area can operate at a single-family residence.

Q:  Can I operate a fountain at my business or as part of my homeowners association?

During Drought Watch, Drought Alert and Drought Critical water features are required to be turned off, though exemptions exist. Indoor fountains, residential fountains of certain sizes and water features that sustain aquatic life are allowed to operate. A complete list of exemptions is listed in the drought ordinance.

Effective July, 21, 2004, Clark County adopted an Administrative Design Review Process within the drought ordinance to allow commercial and homeowner association water features to operate during Drought Watch and Drought Alert. To qualify for the program, property owners must convert grass to desert landscape. If property owners do not have enough grass to convert to desert landscape, they can remove the available turf and pay a fee for the remaining surface area to operate a water feature.

Q:  Why are we allowing any fountains to flow during a severe drought?

The communitys response to drought restrictions has been better than expected. The Southern Nevada Water Authority and its member agencies agreed to allow fountains to operate during Drought Watch and Drought Alert stages if the commercial property owners participate in a turf removal program to offset fountain use.

Q:  Why are fountains on the Strip and other Las Vegas resorts allowed to operate while were in a drought?

The County Commission adopted this exception under Drought Watch and Drought Alert conditions because the Las Vegas Strip is a vital part of our local economy and fountains and water features play a key role in its allure as a world-renowned tourist destination.   Resorts are required to post signs at features explaining that they are allowed to operate under the drought ordinance and that the property has filed a water efficiency and conservation plan as required.

Q:  Dont hotels use the most water in Southern Nevada?

No. Southern Nevada hotels account for approximately 7 percent of the valleys water use, while 65 percent of the valleys water use is residential, according to Las Vegas Valley Water District statistics. Of our residential water use, 75 percent is used outdoors, primarily for landscaping.

Q:  If were in a drought, why do we allow growth to continue?

The Clark County Commission is taking an active role in the discussions and policy decisions related to this issue. Opinions about growth vary. Some favor strict limits on growth. Others believe any efforts to artificially slow growth would have a negative impact on our local economy in terms of jobs, housing costs and demands on social services. Water officials say that the impact of growth on the valleys water supply in general is a function of outdoor landscaping use, as opposed to indoor water use because water that circulates through our sewer system is reused. The Southern Nevada Water Authority commissioned a study to help determine what impact a slowdown on growth would have on Southern Nevada s economy. The results of the study, called The Impact of Growth Interruption in Southern Nevada, were released in February 2004.

Q:  What further water-use restrictions can we expect if a Drought Critical is declared?

A Citizens Action Committee has submitted recommendations to the Southern Nevada Water Authority member agencies for consideration. Water Authority member agencies are reviewing those recommendations and will present a list of Drought Critical measures to the Southern Nevada Water Authority Board of Directors.

Q:  What is water waste and where do I report water waste?

Water officials say the best way to weather the drought is to eliminate water waste and make the best use possible of the water we have. More information about water waste and how to report it is posted at www.SNWA.com. You also can call 258-SAVE to report water waste.

Q:   Can I operate a fountain if the water doesnt come from Lake Mead or a source located in Southern Nevada?

Any fountains operating in Clark County are subject to use restrictions contained in the countys drought ordinance , regardless of where the water comes from. Unless specifically exempted, commercial properties that wish to operate water fountains have an option of participating in the water fountain information outlined in Clark Countys drought ordinance.

Q:  What if my water comes from a well?

Many of the drought restrictions apply to well users. Although not all of the restrictions apply, there are many ways well users can conserve water.