Who Uses The Most Water in Southern Nevada
WATER! It’s top of mind for Nevadans, and has been all over national news. Our supply is shrinking, and more cutbacks have been put in place. But who uses the most water in southern Nevada?
The most recent data collected from 2021, which changed from 2020 – a pandemic year – shows golf courses used the most water in Las Vegas. In 2021, that changed with casino properties taking over the top spots.
Kyle Roerink, Executive Director of the Great Basin Water Network, says we’re at a point where every single drop matters, and a conversation is needed about how we’re pricing water and how we’re using it, especially for aesthetic purposes,” Right now Las Vegas has some of the lowest water rates in the west.
The Venetian is the biggest commercial user. It went from the number four spot in 2020 to number one in 2021 – an increase of more than 78 million gallons. Mandalay Bay is number two, followed by Caesars Palace. Its water use went up more than 200 million gallons year to year. Wynn holds the number four spot. Angel Park Golf Club rounds out the top five.
During the pandemic where tourism dropped, water use at casino resorts also droped. That’s why we saw golf courses go to the top of the list. As we’ve seen visitation and tourism increase, those resorts went back to the top of the list. Angel Park and the other golf clubs that topped the list in 2020 all used less water in 2021.
Golf courses were some of the first to adopt the Water Smart Landscape Program, and have removed approximately 900 acres of grass from their courses, which has helped better manage their water resources.
In North Las Vegas, Aliante Golf Club is number one, followed by Shadow Creek–an exclusive golf course owned by MGM Resorts. NVEnergy’s generating plant on Alexander Road rounds out the top three in North Las Vegas.
So, who is the biggest commercial water user in 2021 and 2020? Lake Las Vegas in Henderson! They used more than 1.3 billion gallons of water last year. That’s 126.7 million more than the year before.
How is this, when Lake Las Vegas is largely for aesthetics, in what many consider a very upper crust community? With Lake Mead decreasing, how do you still see the stability at a place like Lake Las Vegas – are there different sets of rules? Here’s the lowdown on that from The City Of Henderson:
City of Henderson has a series of agreements that address water provision to Lake Las Vegas that span decades. Basically, Lake Las Vegas is allowed to purchase up to 7,000 acre feet per year of raw water (untreated water directly from Lake Mead) and a portion of that lake water is earmarked for irrigation at Lake Las Vegas golf courses.
The city stopped supplying raw water to Lake Las Vegas on July 1, when Lake Mead dropped below an elevation at which the Basic Water Co. intake could pump water. Lake Las Vegas was aware of this likelihood and put additional raw water in the lake before the Basic Water Co. intake ceased operations. City of Henderson, Lake Las Vegas and regional partners are assessing alternative temporary and permanent solutions to provide water while serving the greater good of Henderson.
Lake Las Vegas additionally has a permit to capture 2,000 acre feet of stormwater annually. The recent monsoonal weather has resulted in Lake Las Vegas receiving approximately 1,400 acre feet of stormwater into the lake.
Cody Winterton, master developer of Lake Las Vegas, said they have one water meter there for seven commercial users. That includes includes two golf courses, four homeowners associations, and the lake itself.
He says they’re focused on conservation and removing non-functional turf will be the first big step. Lake Las Vegas has a storm water permit, allowing it to capture rain water to use in the community, and that’s water they don’t take from Lake Mead. They’ve captured 300 million gallons so far this year!
Has this years monsoon season helped? Some. But rain has to fall in specific area to help supply Lake Mead, and that just hasn’t happened.
So if nothing else, be aware of your water usage, and don’t be wasteful. Water on YOUR days, and possibly consider the LVVWD Water Smart Landscape program – removing some of your grass for a rebate!
-Carla Rea
