Water Smarts podcast
From the banks of the Colorado River and Lake Mead to the homes and businesses of Southern Nevada, the 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 the water flowing — hope to make you a little smarter about the one thing that keeps us all connected — water.
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LATEST EPISODE: COOL TRENDS - How businesses can keep cool & stay water smart
Episode 50 - April 4, 2024
In Southern Nevada, grass is the largest consumer of the community’s water supply. But, did you know that the evaporative cooling systems chilling large buildings like hotels and schools are the second largest consumer of our water? The Southern Nevada Water Authority has implemented a moratorium on new evaporative cooling systems and offers rebates for properties to upgrade or replace existing systems to more water-efficient cooling options.
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AB356: Time's running out to 86 nonfunctional grass by the end of '26
Episode 49 - March 6, 2024
The clock is ticking! AB356, the state law prohibiting use of Colorado River water to irrigate nonfunctional turf, takes effect in less than three years. Businesses, HOAs and multifamily properties need to replace grass with drip-irrigated plants and trees by Jan. 1, 2027. SNWA conservation expert Patrick Watson shares how SNWA can help property owners comply with the law and take advantage of the current Water Smarts Landscape rebate, which will DECREASE for nonfunctional grass projects at the end of this year.
ListenREBATE RISING: Landscape rebate increased to $5 a sq ft for residential properties
Episode 48 - Feb. 13, 2024
It’s no secret the SNWA Water Smart Landscapes rebate helps property owners replace water-thirsty grass with drip-irrigated trees and plants. Now the cat’s out of the bag on the rebate’s increase to $5 per square foot. Learn how you can take advantage of this temporary increase from SNWA conservation expert Toby Bickmore.
ListenEMERGENCY RESPONSE: LVVWD responds to tropical storm damage in Kyle Canyon
Episode 47 - Jan. 22, 2024
When Tropical Storm Hilary hit the Mount Charleston area, the resulting flood wiped away roads, downed power lines and washed out water mains. Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) crews were on the scene within hours of the storm assessing the damage and planning repairs to the badly damaged water system in the Kyle Canyon community. LVVWD's Aaron Gamble and Tom Burns talk about the emergency response efforts that included helping the fire department ferry residents to safety.
ListenSURVIVING SHORTAGE: Southern Nevada relies on conservation, future water augmentation
Episode 46 - Nov. 29, 2023
As Southern Nevada enters its third year under federally-declared shortage conditions, the community is thriving and surviving despite the water cuts. Colby Pellegrino, SNWA Deputy General Manager of Resources, talks about Colorado River Basin conditions, negotiations around future water supplies, and how conservation is helping the community live under shortage conditions.
ListenSPECIAL: "What About Water?" interview with SNWA's John Entsminger
Episode 45 - Nov. 6, 2023
John Entsminger, Southern Nevada Water Authority general manager, recently joined Jeff Szabo, the CEO of the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA), for a lively discussion about East Coast vs. West Coast water issues. Serving 1.2 million people in New York, SCWA is one of the largest groundwater suppliers in the nation. While the sources of water for the two agencies differ, one thing is clear: conservation is key to ensuring the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of the communities served.
ListenSMART GROWTH: Water Investment Rating tool helps measure water, economic impact of new businesses
Episode 44 - Oct. 25, 2023
Business leaders and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) have collaborated on a Water Investment Rating tool to evaluate new businesses looking to locate in the community. The two-phase rating system relies on quantitative and qualitative calculations to determine the water footprint of new businesses and the benefit to the community. Dave Johnson, SNWA Deputy General Manager of Operations, shares insights into why the rating system was developed and how it’s being implemented in Southern Nevada.
ListenSHADY SMART: SNWA spreads shade with new tree bonus, urban forest initiative
Episode 43 - Oct. 4, 2023
The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) has two new initiatives to encourage more tree plantings and expand the community’s urban forest. Zane Marshall, SNWA’s Director of Water Resources, shares details about how property owners can get a cash incentive of $100 per new tree planted as part of the Water Smart Landscapes Rebate. Marshall also talks about the long-term benefit of a robust urban forest.
ListenTECH TALK: Technology helps water utilities respond to challenges
Episode 42 - Sept. 19, 2023
From finding leaks in 6,500 miles of buried pipeline to managing the complexities of regulatory compliance, technology is helping agencies like the Southern Nevada Water Authority solve the unique challenges facing the water industry. Dave Lynch, CEO of technology company Klir, and SNWA’s Deputy General Manager of Operations Dave Johnson talk tech and how the nonprofit WaterStart helps match innovators with water utilities looking for practical solutions.
ListenREAL TIME RESULTS: LVVWD improves leak notifications to help customers quickly find & fix leaks
Episode 41 - Aug. 28, 2023
Leaks inside and outside your home can cause devastating damage and significantly increase your water bill. The Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) has improved its leak notification system so that customers get notified within days of a potential problem and before a high water bill may arrive. We talk with Dennis Demera, LVVWD Customer Care & Field Services Manager, about the new system and how customers can ensure they’re notified quickly of potential leaks on their property.
ListenWhat's in your tap water?
Episode 40 - July 10, 2023
A-Z: We test for contaminants from Aluminum to Zinc to ensure a high quality of drinking water for the community. To get the details, review your water agency's Water Quality Report and listen to Carolyn Faircloth, the SNWA Water Quality Laboratory Manager, explain how your drinking water meets all state and federal standards.
ListenH2O HEROES: The Power of Water Smart Plumbers
Episode 39 - May 24, 2023
If you have a plumbing problem, do you know how to find a qualified professional to fix it? The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) takes the heavy lifting out of your search with its new Water Smart Plumber program. Toby Bickmore with SNWA's Conservation team explains the new online resource, what plumbers must do to qualify for the program, and how you can benefit from this new, free resource.
ListenHenderson parks go water smart
Episode 38 - May 10, 2023
City of Henderson (COH) is leading by example with its many water-saving projects. COH Municipal Forester Preston Goodman shares how replacing more than 2 million square feet of grass at 50 Henderson parks will save millions of gallons of water annually without impacting play areas.
ListenHOAs & AB356: What your HOA should do to comply with state law prohibiting decorative grass
Episode 37 - March 29, 2023
There are more than 3,000 HOA communities in Southern Nevada, and all must be in compliance with a new Nevada law requiring decorative grass be replaced with water-smart options by the end of 2026. With HOA board turnover and multiple points of contact, how is the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) ensuring the HOAs are aware of and in compliance with the new law, which will save more than 5 billion gallons annually? Join SNWA's Patrick Watson and Hillery Francis to learn how they're reaching out to HOAs and why doggy bag stations just won't make the grade when it comes to water-smart landscape areas.
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