In the article
“In Las Vegas, where every drop of water counts, septic system changes are a sore subject,” my comments about the Colorado River Compact require some clarification.
I do recognize that the Colorado River Basin faces real challenges. However, Nevada has invested heavily in infrastructure and advanced water recycling technology that provides our community with a high level of water security. Southern Nevada currently reuses about 85% of its wastewater….far more than most other Colorado River Basin states, where some recycle less than 5%.
My point was that Nevada has responsibly managed its limited allocation under the Colorado River Compact while investing in solutions that stretch our very slight allocation. The Compact itself serves as an important accountability framework for managing the river.
Today, Nevada’s Colorado River negotiator, John Entsminger, is offering to reduce the state’s allocation by 50,000 acre-feet as part of ongoing basin negotiations. The very idea of doing so, given Nevada’s protections under the Colorado River Compact, is difficult to justify in light of the significant strides our state has taken to conserve, recycle, and responsibly manage our limited supply. Such concessions risk rewarding other basin states that have not made comparable investments or preparations.
Looking forward, long-term water security in the West will require continued investment in infrastructure, water recycling, and the development of new water resources among all parties to the 1922 Compact. The federal government, particularly the Bureau of Reclamation, has historically played a critical role in aggregating and developing water supplies that supported growth and economic stability across the region. Reviving that mission and placing greater emphasis on water augmentation will be essential to ensuring the West can continue to grow while maintaining reliable water security.
