Water is a precious resource that our region cannot afford to waste. Research suggests that Southern Nevada will continue to experience more intense and longer drought conditions fueled by climate change, which has a direct impact on our water supply.  

Clark County’s largest water source, Lake Mead, provides drinking water for more than 2.3 million Nevada residents and over 45.6 million visitors per year. Lake Mead, which is part of the Colorado River Basin and fed by the Colorado River, receives the majority of its water from snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. Climate change is projected to reduce snowpack, runoff, and rainfall in this region, leading to more extreme, long-term droughts, directly affecting our water supply. Lake Mead's water level has already declined steadily since the early 2000s, dropping down to 28% of normal capacity as of June 2022. 

How is Water Used and Recycled in Clark County?  

Did you know Southern Nevada is one of the few places on the planet that recycles all indoor water on a community-wide scale?  

Approximately 40 percent of the water in the Water Authority’s service area is used indoors. Of that, about 99 percent is recycled, either for direct or indirect use. When you take a shower or wash your laundry, the unused water flows into the sewer system. This sewer water travels to a wastewater treatment facility, where it is treated and then returned to the Colorado River, stretching our limited water supply.   

The other 60 percent of water in Clark County is used outdoors—but unlike water used indoors, water that is used outdoors for irrigation and cooling cannot be captured, treated or used again. This is why we must focus on outdoor water conservation by removing useless grass, limiting water waste, and creating Water Smart landscapes.    

Next: Level 2 Module 6