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The Southern Nevada Water Authoritys drought plan contains three stages of drought: Drought Watch, Drought Alert and Drought Critical. The restrictions become more severe as the drought worsens. The plan was approved by all Southern Nevada Water Authority member agencies, including the cities of Henderson, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Boulder City. Each of those agencies also adopted similar drought ordinances.
The Southern Nevada Water Authority drought plan and Clark Countys drought ordinance target outdoor water use because thats where most water is used.
- Water used indoors in the valley to brush teeth, wash dishes, and take showers gets treated in our sanitary sewer system, flows back into Lake Mead and can be re-used. But an estimated 30 billion gallons gets wasted every year due over-watered lawns, broken sprinklers and other inefficient outdoor uses.
- Las Vegas Valley Water District statistics show that 60 percent of the water you use at home is used outdoors, primarily for landscaping. Because much of the water used outdoors is wasted, theres room for efficiency improvements.
- As part of the drought plan, mandatory landscape watering restrictions are now in place throughout the valley. All customers of the Las Vegas Valley Water District and other water providers are assigned to a watering group. Each group may only water on assigned water days. To find out which group your home or business belongs to, call your water provider or visit www.snwa.com.
- Other restrictions are outlined in service rules of area water providers. These rules include restrictions on car washing and the use of mist systems. Golf courses also must follow established water budgets.
- The countys drought ordinance covers changes to the local development code regarding landscape requirements. The ordinance, for example, changed the start time of seasonal water restrictions to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It also prohibits the adoption or enforcement of private agreements, including homeowners association covenants, conditions and restrictions (CCRs) that restrict homeowners from converting to xeriscape.
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