Residential Resources

Residents of the Las Vegas Valley play an important role in improving and maintaining stormwater quality in our community. This page and the links below provide valuable information about how residents can help manage stormwater and reduce nonpoint source pollution.

Stormwater hits home! Pet waste and yard debris, household chemicals, household cleaners, paint and vehicle fluids are examples of materials that can cause stormwater pollution if not properly stored or cleaned up when spilled outdoors.

Public Service Announcement

Areas of Interest

area of interest

Each American uses an average of 82 gallons of water a day at home (USGS, Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2015)

Straight to Lake Mead

The storm sewer system carries UNTREATED stormwater runoff directly to Lake Mead – the Valley’s primary source of drinking water.

The sanitary sewer collects wastewater from sinks, toilets, showers, and washing machines, conveying it to a wastewater treatment plant to remove pollutants before returning it to Lake Mead.

Most of our rainwater travels through gutters, storm drains, channels, washes and eventually into the major source of our drinking water,

Two System

The sanitary sewer and the storm sewer are two completely separate drainage systems.

5 - Things you shouldn't pour down the drains:

Oil & grease, coffee grounds, medication, "flushable wipe", and cleaning products.

Trash & Recycling

Bag and tie loose trash and debris to prevent transportation by wind or rain into the storm drain system. Place recyclables loose in the bin, do not bag or box recyclables. Keep trash and recycling cans closed.

Automobile Maintenance

Properly maintain vehicles to prevent fluid leaks. Place drip pans under the vehicle to contain oil from active leaks. Clean leaks and spills using an absorbent such as kitty litter or sand. Sweep up, bag and properly dispose of used absorbent in the trash.

Landscape Maintenance

Use pesticides, fertilizers and other lawn care products sparingly and in accordance with label instructions. Over-watering can carry pollutants to the Las Vegas Wash and Lake Mead.

Spill Management

Keep absorbents, such as kitty litter, sand or old rags on hand for cleaning spills. Apply absorbent to spills, sweep into a trash bag and dispose of in the trash.

Vehicle Washing

Use a commercial or self-service car wash, if possible. When washing your vehicle at home, use a bucket and phosphate-free, biodegradable soap.

Blocked stormdrains can cause back-ups and overflow. Please keep drain clear to prevent flooding.

Pet waste

Collect pet waste in a plastic bag and throw it away in a trash can. If left on the ground, rainfall can wash pet waste, which contains bacteria and other pathogens, to Lake Mead.

Pools and Spas

Pool and spa water should be drained to the sanitary sewer via a sewer cleanout, typically located in front of homes. Discharging pool water to the gutter can carry chemicals, bacteria and other pollutants to the Lake Mead.

Stormwater Inlet Marking Program

Initiated by the Conservation District of Southern Nevada and led by the Stormwater Quality Management Committee, the Stormwater Inlet Marking Program originally placed 8,000 "DON'T POLLUTE - DRAINS TO LAKE MEAD, NO CONTAMINE! SE VA AL LAGO MEAD" bi-lingual plastic plaques that adhered to the sidewalk above stormwater inlets and drainages in the Las Vegas Valley. The purpose of the Stormwater Inlet Marking Program is to revive a multi-agency effort to raise awareness of the importance of stormwater quality protection.

The goal of the inlet marking program is to remind people that any toxic materials dumped into the storm drains will be channeled to Lake Mead, Southern Nevada's primary source of drinking water.

The effort is necessary to prevent pollution from petroleum products, paint, pesticides, fertilizers, and litter. Having this message at the stormwater inlets helps the public make the connection between the water that flows into the basins and the water that will eventually be pumped from Lake Mead to their faucet.

The program continues today with all new developments required to follow the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada's standard drawing No. 421. The standard requires the message "DON'T POLLUTE - DRAINS TO LAKE MEAD" be stamped into curbs above stormwater inlets.

In addition, through the use of grant money, Clark County continues to purchase plastic plaques to place on unmarked stormwater inlets.