LV OKs tougher rules for saving water

Thursday, July 17, 2003 | 11:03 a.m.

The Las Vegas City Council approved a tough water conservation ordinance Wednesday that could result in fines as high as $1,000 for scofflaw water-wasters.

But Southern Nevada Water Authority Director Ken Albright said enforcing the measure will be the biggest challenge and that the success of the sterner rules will depend primarily on "changes in mindset" by the public toward water conservation.

The council unanimously adopted the ordinance, which had been put on a fast track, that proposes "to establish aggressive water conservation measures and enhance efficient utilization of water resources." Councilman Larry Brown was absent.

"We will be reasonable but stern," Mayor Oscar Goodman said of the ordinance that mirrors proposals before other municipalities that are weighing measures to deal with emergency situations resulting from a four-year drought.

"We have to change the habits of people who live in a desert. We should not panic. No one is being asked to change their life dramatically. I think we are proceeding wisely."

Goodman said the ordinance, which supports the water authority's drought plan, is not antigrowth but rather encourages "sustainable growth." The ordinance in effect implements a plan by the water authority, which is made up of elected representatives from area governments, that the city adopted in March.

Matt Pinjuv, a city senior planner, said the efforts of city staff were focused on making water rules as "uniform as possible across the valley." He said once the emergency situation brought on by the drought subsides, the ordinance's tough rules no longer will be in effect.

City and water authority officials say the maximum fine and jail time would be sought in cases of the most flagrant violators. Clark County already had similar misdemeanor fines and potential jail time on its books for water wasters.

However, the Las Vegas Valley Water District Board usually relies on civil violation fines in the city limits and unincorporated county. The fines show up as fees on water bills.

"Our goal is not to throw people in jail," Clark County Assistant Planning Manager Chuck Pulsipher said. "Our goal is to strongly encourage people to comply and save water."

Albright said the bulk of enforcement will be through the Las Vegas Valley Water District, which he said has hired a dozen extra inspectors for the drought emergency. The city's enforcement will focus on turf restrictions for new developments, where desert landscaping is being urged.

"I won't profess to say we have a handle on enforcement," Albright said. "We'll respond to complaints (and) fines are up substantially, with flagrant violators facing fines of $1,000 and up to six months in jail."

Councilman Gary Reese also questioned whether there is enough enforcement officers to do the job.

"Someone has to go out there to cite people and show we mean business," he said.