Water board boosts expansion estimates

Friday, Jan. 21, 2000 | 10:52 a.m.

For the eighth time in four years, the Southern Nevada Water Authority board amended its capital improvement plans to meet booming growth, increasing estimates for expansion in the northern Las Vegas Valley by $6.4 million.

The board unanimously approved without discussion Thursday the report to expand intake, treatment and delivery systems.

The authorized funding amount for capital improvements accounts for a $28.7 million project for additional controls needed in the north valley. That amount is balanced by a decrease of $22.3 million for 13 pipelines in the north valley for a net increase of $6.4 million.

The northern and northwest valley is experiencing rapid growth.

So far the water authority estimated a total savings of $134.5 million since initiating the plan in December 1995.

The water delivery system has operated since 1971, but with two-thirds of the estimated 1.3 million people coming to the Las Vegas Valley in the 1990s, the water authority began a $2 billion expansion of its facilities that should be completed in 2025.

The water authority also heard from its 24-member student youth council formed a year ago to bring fresh perspectives to finding new water sources and improving conservation.

After a 20-hour educational course on water issues, the council made four recommendations to the board:

The students also suggested that the goal of conserving 25 percent of local water use by 2010 should take a more serious tone.

Instead of "Deputy Drip," the blue, pear-shaped mascot appearing at every conservation function, the council suggested telling people how crucial it is to save the water supply.