Letter: Growth must be slowed to cope with drought

Monday, April 12, 2004 | 8:53 a.m.

Despite the widespread pronouncements that our current drought is not ending and in all likelihood will continue for unknown years into the future, our local politicians, water authorities, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and housing construction corporations continue to search for water. The cry continues that water waste by Strip fountains, lakes and waterfalls are a minimal source of water usage. We are continually bombarded by propaganda that most of the water usage is from local homeowners. Every new hotel expansion and deluxe high-rise apartment complex will increase the demand for water, but that does not seem to matter in this case.

Many homeowners have swimming pools, or will continue to have them installed despite the water crisis. Will it become necessary to have special meters on dishwashers, washing machines, toilets and showers? Will the water police have authority to enter your home and monitor your daily allotment of water?

Now plans are being proposed to develop pipelines extending thousands of miles, and costing billions of dollars, into other counties of Nevada in order to bring water to this valley. No sensible thoughts or plans are even being proposed to suspend or control the present unlimited housing developments.

In the meantime, Lake Mead continues as a diminishing source of water. All those who demand that housing growth continue unbridled into the future should be required to enroll in a basic course in environmental education.

VIRGIL A. SESTINI