Tier two water shortage declared
As a result of shortage conditions on the Colorado River, the federal government announced a tier two water reduction, limiting the amount of water Southern Nevada will be allowed to withdraw from Lake Mead beginning in January 2023.
Don't get caught wet-handed, water waste investigators are on patrol in your neighborhood. Prevent runoff and avoid fines by watering grass a recommended 12 minutes per watering day - three times a day, an hour apart, in four-minute cycles.
What you can do to conserve
Drought and climate change have caused Lake Mead to drop about 170 feet. The federal government has issued a tier two water shortage declaration, reducing the amount of water Southern Nevada is allowed to draw from the lake. We're asking everyone to help protect and extend our community's primary water supply.
Change your watering clock
Our community loses billions of gallons each year due to overwatering, and too much water is harmful to turf, trees and shrubs.
Follow the mandatory seasonal watering restrictions to save water, improve the health of your landscape and avoid water waste fines.
While watering is permitted up to six days a week during this time, just because you CAN doesn't mean you need to. Remember that plants on drip need water less often than sprinklers on grass. Get more watering tips.
Stop water waste
From irrigation overspray to leaking lines, water waste drains our community's limited water supply.
Find and fix leaks
Damaged irrigation systems, cracked supply lines and faulty fixtures can cause high bills and property damage.
Every drop we save makes a difference
It pays to be water smart with cash incentives. Take advantage of our programs and services, designed to help you save time, water and money.
For businesses
- Save water, money, maintenance and manpower by upgrading useless grass and participating in our Water Smart Landscapes rebate program.
- Install water efficient technologies and cash in on savings. Pick from pre-approved technologies or create your own solution.
- Skip the hassle of irrigation scheduling and avoid water waste fees. Let us help with a smart irrigation controller rebate.
- Have time to talk? Request a property water use analysis.
For single-family homeowners
- Ready for an upgrade? Get more curb appeal, less upkeep, and cash back with the Water Smart Landscapes rebate program.
- Change your irrigation clock with the swipe of a finger anytime and anywhere with a smart irrigation controller rebate.
- Get a good deal on peace of mind with a smart leak detector rebate. These devices provide an early alert about possible leaks, directly to your smartphone.
- Hidden drips got you down? Request a free indoor water audit kit to track down trouble.
- Show your support to a local car wash vendor that treats and recycles water. Get a water smart car wash coupon.
New rules protect our limited water supply
Southern Nevada's water supply situation is changing, and the rules are too. Stay in the know.
Recent legislation prohibits the use of Colorado River water to irrigate nonfunctional turf
A new law requires nonfunctional grass to be removed by the end of 2026. This initiative will save our community an estimated 9.6 billion gallons of water per year. The law does not apply to grass in a homeowner's yard. From tips and tools to rebates and resources, we're happy to help.
Code changes to limit residential pool sizes
Ongoing drought and climate change conditions continue to affect water levels in Lake Mead – Southern Nevada's primary water supply. As a result, the federal government declared a shortage on the Colorado River, reducing Southern Nevada's available water supply by 7 billion gallons, and additional reductions are expected in the coming years.
To help manage these water supply constraints, the Southern Nevada Water Authority is working with local jurisdictions to modify building and development codes to limit the surface area of new residential swimming pools and spas to no more than 600 square feet per property.
Looking for landscape resources? We can help.
Whether you're looking to tune up an existing landscape or are starting from scratch, we've got tons of resources to get you moving in the right direction.
Get tips for a beautiful desert landscape
- Find desert-friendly plants with our Plant Search tool
- Hire a water smart landscaper
- Peruse sample landscape designs and plans
- Learn how and when to water your landscape and get watering tips
- Get advice on installing and maintaining your landscape
We're doing our part to keep your water safe and reliable
The SNWA monitors regional water quality and facilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We use cutting edge technology and maintain state-of-the-art facilities, so you don't have to worry.
Water quality
The SNWA uses cutting edge technology to ensure your water is treated and tested to the utmost standards of safety. View water quality reports.
The SNWA also is helping researchers around the world learn more about the presence of coronavirus in communities. The research we're conducting confirms that genetic markers of COVID-19 can be detected in wastewater before the water is treated but are removed during the treatment process.
Infrastructure and treatment facilities
Southern Nevada's water system consists of intake, transmission, treatment and wastewater processes, including state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.
The SNWA has undertaken several massive construction projects over the years to protect our community from declining water levels at Lake Mead, and to ensure water infrastructure and treatment facilities work as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Get water smart with our podcast
From the banks of the Colorado River and Lake Mead to the homes and businesses of Southern Nevada, our Water Smarts podcast covers how we treat, deliver, use, protect and conserve water in the Las Vegas Valley.
Hosts Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke—along with experts from the Southern Nevada Water Authority who keep our water flowing—hope to make you a little smarter about the one thing that keeps us all connected—water.