The Pacific Institute has just published the report Hidden Oasis: Water Conservation and Efficiency in Las Vegas. The Institute and Western Resource Advocates examined Las Vegas' conservation program smd while the commend the city in the strides it has made, they stated that more could be done. The rport also notes that Las vegas is falling behind other arid and semi-arid Western cities such as Tucson and Albuquerque.
The report found that up to 40% of water could be saved in some sectors with improvements in both indoor and outdoor efficiency. The report noted that 90% of Las Vegas' water efficiency money is spent on one program - turf removal. This is an important program, but participation is waning and there are other tools available.
The report also reveals that the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) could cut water waste by up to 86,000 acre-feet annually. Hey, think of all the subdivisons that could supply!
You can download the entire report here. An executive summary can be downloaded below.
Download hidden_oasis_exec_summ.pdf
You can also order a hard copy for $10 by calling 510-251 -1600.
I believe SNWA Conservation Manager Doug Bennett learned his craft under former Water Resources Program (WRP) student Jean Witherspoon at the City of Albuquerque.
"Do you know what we call tourists in Las Vegas? We call them 'marks'. " -- desk clerk, San Remo Hotel, Las Vegas.
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