Tempering the Thirst Of America s Driest City Prepared for: Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute 2 March 2012
Colorado River Serves about 30 million people in 7 states and Mexico Irrigates about 1.8M acres of farmland (over 70% of water use) Allocations exceed average flow by 15 20% Drought and climate change impacts Current storage about 50% of capacity Provides 90% of Southern Nevada s Water
Dividing the Waters: Who shares the Colorado? Colorado River Appropriations Million Acre Feet Annually 5 4 3 2 1 0.3 7.5 million Acre Feet for Lower Basin states 0.85 1 1.5 1.7 2.85 3.9 4.4 0 Nevada New Mexico Wyoming Mexico Utah Arizona Colorado California
The Colorado River: Imperiled? Southern Nevada uses just 1.8 percent of the water allocated from the Colorado River, but it constitutes 90 percent of our supply.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Water Use 10% groundwater Treat to Potable 90% Surface water Water used indoors is recovered for direct or indirect reuse. Improving outdoor water use efficiency produces the greatest water resource benefit.
Southern Nevada Metered Water Use Based upon 2009 metered usage for all SNWA entities
Caesar s Palace Street View
Southern Nevada s resorts account for less than 3 percent of consumptive water use. Caesar s Palace Aerial
Mega-Resort Water Use Consumptive (outdoor) 25% Evaporation from cooling systems exceeds the combined use of landscape, water features and pools. Non consumptive (indoor) 75% Mega Resort Facts About 3,000 rooms Average 110 acre parcel < 2% pools & fountains < 4% landscaping ~94% buildings & surfaces
Demand Management Tools EDUCATION WATER PRICING REGULATION INCENTIVES The SNWA and its member agencies utilize a variety of tools to promote conservation and reduce overall water use.
Education The SNWA has one of the nation s most comprehensive public outreach programs. Award winning website Quarterly newsletter Hands on classroom training School Teacher training Community Gardens Monthly television show Springs Preserve sustainability complex
Regulation Local governments have adopted a variety of land use codes and water use ordinances, including: Limitations on ornamental turfgrass Water budgets for Golf Courses Mandatory watering restrictions Water waste enforcement Limitations on fountains and manmade lakes
Monthly Consumption Standing Homes Built 1990 1995 Average Monthly Consumption Two calendar years of 2007-2008 25,000 20,000 Consumption 15,000 10,000 5,000 Construction Years 1990-1995 - Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month
Monthly Consumption 1990 1995 v. 1995 2003 Average Monthly Consumption Two calendar years of 2007-2008 25,000 20,000 Consumption 15,000 10,000 5,000 Construction Years 1990-1995 Construction Years 2000-2003 - Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month
Monthly Consumption Post 2003 Homes Comparison Average Monthly Consumption Two calendar years of 2007-2008 25,000 20,000 Consumption 15,000 10,000 5,000 Construction Years 1990-1995 Construction Years 2000-2003 Same Construction Years as WSH 2005-2007 - Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month
Monthly Consumption Water Smart Homes Comparison Average Monthly Consumption Two calendar years of 2007-2008 25,000 20,000 Consumption 15,000 10,000 5,000 - Water Smart Homes Construction Years 1990-1995 Construction Years 2000-2003 Same Construction Years as WSH 2005-2007 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month
Water Pricing Four tier increasing block rate structure. Rate blocks have been compressed and steepened over time. $5.00 Las Vegas Valley Water District 1990-2008 Rate History $4.00 2008 $3.00 2007 2003 $2.00 $1.00 1996 1994 1992 1990 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Threshold x1000 gallons
Water Smart Landscape Rebate Up to $1.50 rebate for each square foot of lawn converted to water-efficient plants and irrigation. Reduces landscape water demand by 75 percent 158 million square feet converted $176 million rebated 8.8 billion gallons saved annually 50 billion gallons saved cumulatively After Before
Partnerships Partnerships accelerate adoption and build community ethic: Water Smart Home Water Smart Contractor Program (Landscape) Water Smart Car Wash Water Upon Request Program (Restaurants) Linen Exchange (Lodging) Water Conservation Coalition (Business)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 SNWA Weather Normalized Gallons Per Capita Per Day (GPCD) 1990-2010 Goal 199 GPCD by 2035 Calendar Year gallons/capita/day
Doug Bennett Conservation Manager SNWA Environmental Resources Doug.bennett@snwa.com