Las Vegas Valley Groundwater

The Las Vegas Valley relied on local groundwater supplies to meet its water demands until large scale importation of Colorado River water was achieved in the early 1970s. Currently, 10 percent of Southern Nevada's municipal water supply comes from groundwater sources.

The Las Vegas Valley Water District and North Las Vegas, member agencies of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), have permanent groundwater rights totaling 40,629 acre-feet and 5,711 acre-feet, respectively. The two entities operate about 100 permitted municipal wells in the Las Vegas Valley.

Although Southern Nevada's primary supply is Colorado River water, the muncipal groundwater rights of the SNWA member agencies are among the most senior groundwater rights in the valley. Groundwater remains a critical component of the area's resource picture, especially in helping to meet peak water demands during the summer.

In 1997, the Nevada State Legislature directed the Water Authority to establish the Las Vegas Valley Groundwater Management Program to ensure this renewable resource continues to be a safe and reliable water supply.