Southern Nevada Water Authority
Encyclopedia
The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) was formed in 1991 to manage Southern Nevada's water needs on a regional basis. The Authority comprises seven member agencies including the City of Henderson
, City of Las Vegas
, City of North Las Vegas
, Big Bend Water District
(Laughlin
), Clark County Water Reclamation District
and the Las Vegas Valley Water District
.
SNWA provides wholesale water treatment and delivery for the greater Las Vegas Valley and is responsible for acquiring and managing long-term water resources for Southern Nevada.
From its inception, the SNWA has worked to acquire additional water resources, manage existing and future water resources, construct and operate regional water facilities and promote water conservation.
The SNWA is governed by a seven-member board of directors, which comprises one elected official from each governing board of the SNWA’s seven member agencies. While the Board of Directors sets policy direction for the SNWA, the Las Vegas Valley Water District is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization through an agreement between the SNWA member agencies.
s in ground water in Henderson
and associated runoff into the Las Vegas Wash
has been a concern since 1997.
These facilities first treat the water with ozone to kill any potentially harmful microscopic organisms. As the water leaves the water treatment facilities, chlorine is added to protect it on the way to customers' taps. Since 2000, SNWA has also added fluoride to the municipal water supply.
Henderson, Nevada
-Demographics:According to the 2000 census, there were 175,381 people, 66,331 households, and 47,095 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,200.8 people per square mile . There were 71,149 housing units at an average density of 892.8 per square mile...
, City of Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, City of North Las Vegas
North Las Vegas, Nevada
North Las Vegas is a city in Clark County, Nevada, United States, located in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The city was incorporated on May 16, 1946.-Geography:...
, Big Bend Water District
Big Bend Water District
Big Bend Water District was created in 1983 to service the community of Laughlin, Nevada. It is governed by the Clark County Commission and operated by the Las Vegas Valley Water District...
(Laughlin
Laughlin, Nevada
Laughlin is a census-designated place in Clark County, Nevada, United States, and a port located on the Colorado River. Laughlin is south of Las Vegas, located in the far southern tip of Nevada. It is best known for its gaming, entertainment, and water recreation. As of the 2010 census, the...
), Clark County Water Reclamation District
Clark County Water Reclamation District
The Clark County Water Reclamation District is a water treatment agency in Clark County, Nevada. As a member of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, its mission is to treat millions of gallons of wastewater that is produced everyday...
and the Las Vegas Valley Water District
Las Vegas Valley Water District
The Las Vegas Valley Water District is a not-for-profit water supply agency that has been providing water to the Las Vegas Valley since 1954...
.
SNWA provides wholesale water treatment and delivery for the greater Las Vegas Valley and is responsible for acquiring and managing long-term water resources for Southern Nevada.
From its inception, the SNWA has worked to acquire additional water resources, manage existing and future water resources, construct and operate regional water facilities and promote water conservation.
The SNWA is governed by a seven-member board of directors, which comprises one elected official from each governing board of the SNWA’s seven member agencies. While the Board of Directors sets policy direction for the SNWA, the Las Vegas Valley Water District is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization through an agreement between the SNWA member agencies.
Member agencies
- Boulder CityBoulder City, NevadaBoulder City is a city in Clark County, Nevada, United States. It is approximately from the City of Las Vegas. As of the 2010 census the population of Boulder City was 15,023.Boulder City is one of only two cities in Nevada that prohibit gambling....
(Duncan McCoy) - HendersonHenderson, Nevada-Demographics:According to the 2000 census, there were 175,381 people, 66,331 households, and 47,095 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,200.8 people per square mile . There were 71,149 housing units at an average density of 892.8 per square mile...
(Steven Kirk) - Las VegasLas Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
(Lois Tarkanian) - North Las VegasNorth Las Vegas, NevadaNorth Las Vegas is a city in Clark County, Nevada, United States, located in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The city was incorporated on May 16, 1946.-Geography:...
(Shari Buck) - Big Bend Water DistrictBig Bend Water DistrictBig Bend Water District was created in 1983 to service the community of Laughlin, Nevada. It is governed by the Clark County Commission and operated by the Las Vegas Valley Water District...
(Steve Sisolak) - Clark County Water Reclamation DistrictClark County Water Reclamation DistrictThe Clark County Water Reclamation District is a water treatment agency in Clark County, Nevada. As a member of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, its mission is to treat millions of gallons of wastewater that is produced everyday...
(Tom Collins) - Las Vegas Valley Water DistrictLas Vegas Valley Water DistrictThe Las Vegas Valley Water District is a not-for-profit water supply agency that has been providing water to the Las Vegas Valley since 1954...
(Susan Brager)
Water supply and distribution
Southern Nevada gets nearly 90 percent of its water from the Colorado River. The other 10 percent of the water comes from groundwater that is pumped out through existing wells within Clark County. PerchloratePerchlorate
Perchlorates are the salts derived from perchloric acid . They occur both naturally and through manufacturing. They have been used as a medicine for more than 50 years to treat thyroid gland disorders. They are used extensively within the pyrotechnics industry, and ammonium perchlorate is also a...
s in ground water in Henderson
Henderson, Nevada
-Demographics:According to the 2000 census, there were 175,381 people, 66,331 households, and 47,095 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,200.8 people per square mile . There were 71,149 housing units at an average density of 892.8 per square mile...
and associated runoff into the Las Vegas Wash
Las Vegas Wash
Las Vegas Wash is a 12 mile-long channel which feeds most of Las Vegas Valley's excess water into Lake Mead. The wash is sometimes called an urban river, and it exists in its present capacity because of an urban population. The wash also works in a systemic conjunction with the pre-existing...
has been a concern since 1997.
Treatment facilities
- River Mountains Water Treatment Facility
- Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility
These facilities first treat the water with ozone to kill any potentially harmful microscopic organisms. As the water leaves the water treatment facilities, chlorine is added to protect it on the way to customers' taps. Since 2000, SNWA has also added fluoride to the municipal water supply.
Major distribution systems
- East Valley Lateral
- North Valley Lateral
- West Valley Lateral
- South Valley Lateral
Reservoirs
- Burkholder Reservoir (50 million USgals (189,270.6 m³) )
- Decatur Reservoir (20 million USgals (75,708.2 m³))
- Grand Teton Reservoir (10 million USgals (37,854.1 m³))
- Horizon Ridge Reservoir (20 million USgals (75,708.2 m³))
- Brock ReservoirBrock ReservoirBrock Reservoir is a man-made reservoir located near Gordons Well, California. The reservoir consists of two basins that can hold a combined total of of water. It holds water from the All-American Canal until it can be used for nearby agriculture....
which is partly funded by SNWA (400000 acre.ft of water over 20 years)
Major pumping stations
- Decatur Pumping Station (81000000 USgal/d capacity)
- Foothills Pumping Station (140000000 USgal/d capacity
- Gowan Pumping Station (24000000 USgal/d capacity)
- Lamb Pumping Station (111000000 USgal/d capacity)
- River Mountains Pumping Station (315000000 USgal/d capacity)
- Simmons Pumping Station (71000000 USgal/d capacity)
- Sloan Pumping Station (111000000 USgal/d capacity)
Commercial Campaign Awards
- "Mrs. Nuttington" - 2008 Silver EffieEffie"Effie" is an outrageous comedic character played by Australian actress Mary Coustas. Coustas depicts a stereotypical second-generation Greek Australian....
- Voted one of TBS's funniest commercials of 2006.