SNWA
Board Declares Drought Alert
November
21, 2003
The
Southern Nevada Water Authority Board declared a Drought Alert
at its November meeting. The new drought stage takes effect
Jan. 1, 2004
Despite
the higher-than-average rainfall in the Las Vegas Valley in
2003 and the community's conservation efforts, the key factor
in the drought is the below-average snowfall in the Rocky Mountains.
Runoff from the Rockies feeds Lake Mead, our primary water source.
Lake Mead has dropped more than 70 feet over the past few years,
and it requires several years of above-average runoff to significantly
raise current lake levels.
The more severe stage of drought means additional drought restrictions
will impact all municipal water customers in Southern Nevada.
Additional
drought restrictions include:
- No
car washing at home. You can use commercial car washes that
capture and recycle water and mobile car washes that use
less than 10 gallons of water per vehicle.
- No
grass allowed in new residential front yards where permits
were issued after Jan. 1, 2004. Turf also is restricted
at commercial and multi-family developments.
- Water
waste fees increase.
- All
mist systems prohibited.
- All
fountains above 25 square feet surface area must be turned
off (resorts are exempt).
If
you have questions related to the drought or the Drought Alert
contact SNWA's Public Information Hotline at 258-3930. Or visit
www.snwa.com
for more information.
