Screening of "The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?" set for WaterSmart Innovations

A special one-time, limited-seating screening of the documentary film "The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?" will be held at the inaugural WaterSmart Innovations Conference and Exposition, Thursday, Oct. 9 in Las Vegas.

Presented by the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense Program and other forward-thinking organizations, WaterSmart Innovations is slated for October 8-10 at the South Point Hotel and Casino. Focusing on urban water efficiency and water conservation, it is anticipated to be the largest and most comprehensive conference of its kind.

Registered conference attendees are eligible to enter a drawing for a limited number of free tickets for the screening, followed by a reception, by submitting their entry by 5 p.m. PDT on Friday, Sept. 19. Those attendees who have previously registered for the conference will receive an e-mail inviting them to enter the drawing. Winners will be notified by Wednesday, Sept. 30. Entries are limited to one per person and up to two tickets per winner.

Featuring narration by actress Jane Seymour, "The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?" is a definitive look at how prolonged drought affects the American Southwest and its escalating economic toll. The film includes interviews with such members of Congress as Sens. Jon Kyl (Ariz.), Ken Salazar (Colo.), and Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman (N.M.), and U.S. Reps. Mary Bono (Palm Springs) and Jim Costa (Fresno). The film also includes interviews with Dr. Gene Whitney, science advisor to President Bush, SNWA General Manager Pat Mulroy and other Western water experts.

Produced by Jim Thebaut and The Chronicles Group in collaboration with the California Water Association, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and SNWA, the 70-minute film will air on Public Broadcasting System stations this fall. Thebaut also produced the 2005 documentary "Running Dry."

Other organizations collaborating with the SNWA and the EPA on WaterSmart Innovations include the Alliance for Water Efficiency, California Urban Water Conservation Council, the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association, Irrigation Association, American Society of Irrigation Consultants, Audubon International, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and the International Center for Water Technology.

Major commercial conference sponsors include Rain Bird Corp., Caroma USA, MWH Americas, Inc., TOTO USA, Inc., the National Association of Home Builders, AECOM, Inc., Ewing Irrigation, Black & Veatch, Global Water, Hunter Industries, Inc., the Springs Preserve and Water Management, Inc.

For more information, visit the WaterSmartInnovations.com Web site.