Conservation Achievements

Thanks largely to community compliance with conservation measures and participation in water-efficiency programs, the Las Vegas Valley community is continuing a trend of declining water use.

Community conservation efforts
have saved billions of gallons
of water each year.

Southern Nevada's annual water consumption decreased by nearly 26 billion gallons between 2002 and 2009, despite a population increase of 400,000 during that span and 40 million annual visitors.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and its member agencies established a new conservation goal in 2005 at the recommendation of a citizen advisory committee.

Conservation Goal

The SNWA Board of Directors established a conservation goal of 199 gallons per capita per day (GPCD) by 2035.

Since 2002 when the drought response plan was first developed, Southern Nevada has reduced its GPCD demand 25 percent from 314 GPCD to 240 GPCD in 2009. While this reduction in water use can be attributed to community conservation efforts, recent economic conditions also may be a factor in the GPCD reduction.

Additional conservation will be an important element in planning and balancing the various resource and infrastructure needs in Southern Nevada. Continued conservation, coupled with the acquisition and development of additional water resources, will allow SNWA to meet projected water demands through 2060.