Golf course water curbed

Dan Kulin

Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2003 | 8:53 a.m.

The Henderson City Council on Tuesday approved water-use limits for golf courses and a $200,000 contract with a public relations firm to spread the word on new drought-prompted water use restrictions.

The watering limits for golf courses in Henderson, which will go into effect Oct. 1, mirror those already adopted by the the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

Under the new rules, golf courses' annual water use will be limited to 6.5 acre-feet per acre of irrigated land. An acre-foot is enough water to serve a family of four for a year.

If the region moves from drought watch to a drought alert a new water use limit could be set.

The council also approved hiring Mass Media/Vanguard to help inform the public of drought-related water use restrictions that went into effect Monday.

"They will help us with public relations, brochures, help with the website, and working with the media," Henderson Assistant Director of Utility Services Dennis Porter said.

The new rules, such as restrictions on what days residents can water their lawns, are being adopted across the region in response to the worst drought on record.

Porter said the $200,000 one-year contract with Mass Media/Vanguard includes the costs of buying ad space, materials and printing.

The contract was approved as part of the council's Tuesday consent agenda, which is a long list of items considered routine and all acted on with one vote.

Before voting on the consent agenda, council members Amanda Cyphers and Jack Clark said they have hired Mass Media previously.

Cyphers said she was disclosing that information and abstaining from voting on just that item on the consent agenda.

Clark said he was disclosing, but still voting on the matter.