Power boosts cost of water

Friday, May 17, 2002 | 10:27 a.m.

Southern Nevada Water Authority officials presented next year's budget Thursday for the water wholesaler -- and the price of pumping water is expected to go up yet again.

The operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is $121.3 million, up from $107.8 million this year.

"Almost all of the difference is because of power costs," authority spokesman Vince Alberta said.

Power to pump water has soared in cost from $16.5 million in 1998 to an estimated $59.2 million next year, authority Finance Director Cary Casey told the agency board.

The authority provides wholesale water to six regional distributors, including the Las Vegas Valley Water District, that serve nearly all of the county's residential and commercial water users.

The distribution agencies set the end price for water. Most consumers have not seen their water bills increase dramatically for several years, although Water District officials say the price may go up this year to recoup costs and discourage water waste.

The authority gets most of the power to pump the water from the Colorado River Commission, which in turn gets its power from Hoover Dam, Nevada Power and on the open market.

The authority, however, in cooperation with the commission, is buying pieces of new power plants under construction. The process will cut costs and improve reliability, authority officials say.