LAS VEGAS — Water pricing and conservation policies are shaping what Las Vegas residents pay for water.
Southern Nevada remains under Colorado River shortage conditions amidst the ongoing drought, which means strict conservation policies and a tiered water pricing system to discourage water wastage, and so far, it’s working. Despite relying heavily on the Colorado River and Lake Mead, Nevada has reduced its consumption of Colorado River water by more than 30 percent over the past two decades.
The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) uses a tiered pricing system with four tiers, ranging from the cheapest to the most expensive. Tier 1 covers most indoor household needs, while higher tiers penalize excessive usage, such as outdoor irrigation. Residents will typically see fluctuations in their water bills depending on their usage and whether excessive-use charges are included. The current excessive use charge is $9 every 1,000 gallons.
Another conservation policy shaping residents’ bills is the Water Smart Landscape Rebate. The biggest use of water in the area remains outdoor watering. To combat this, the Southern Nevada Water Authority offers rebates for residents who remove and replace grass with desert landscaping.
