Stephanie W.
"I admit, our yard is large, but we have owned this home for 38 years and lots were much larger then. We want our grandkids to be able to play on Grass, Not Rocks! We are willing to change our front yard to low water or desert landscaping, although it will be a huge expense!! But we want grass in our backyard! 1/2 of it is already pavers and a cement pickle ball court. It is so frustrating that the new water limits do not take into account the size of a homeowner’s lot, or the number of people who live there! Our Daughter & her husband have 9 people in their family. That means 9 people who shower, do laundry & wash dishes! They should be allowed more water! And why are these limits & fines only placed on people who live in Las Vegas, not Henderson or North Las Vegas! Why are they making so much money from ridiculous fines off only Las Vegas residents? Plus, it's just not healthy to live in a world with only rocks and cement! People need plants, trees and grass! The new 220 Assembly Bill states no grass in new developments! I realize some people don't want to maintain lawns, pay for watering grass, etc, but many do want grass for their kids & animals to play on. Artificial turf is very expensive and HOT!! Kids & Animals don't want to play on turf, especially during the hot months! These restrictions and water limits are terrible, and the fines for overuse are EXTREME!! My grass, plants and trees will not stay alive with the watering limits that currently exist! It's just not possible! If we want our kids to grow up in a healthy environment where oxygen is produced through trees, plants, and grass - something has to change, or we become an unhealthy, unhappy community. Unlike hard surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, rocks and wood, grass helps clean the air, trap carbon dioxide, reduce erosion from stormwater runoff, improve soil, decrease noise pollution, and reduce temperatures - we all need this!!"
Gary C.
"Feel it is illegal double billing. They are charging us an increased rate per amount used and then a fine on top of it. It also seems to classify people who live in condos the same as people who live on 1-acre properties."
Norm Schilling, Horticulturist/Arborist
“Although I've long been a supporter of the SNWA's water conservation programs and am proud of the change undertaken in this valley in the last quarter century to make us a true leader in water conservation, I feel the SNWA has way overstepped its mandate and is now risking doing severe and highly consequential damage to Southern Nevada, economically, environmentally and in quality of life. They are now severely threatening our urban forest just as we need it most to help mitigate the effects of regional warming and the heat island effect of our urban community.”
Barry L.
"Our higher rates are from poor management of the Colorado River. Fix how the allocation of the Colorado River is apportioned, source new water from the Sea of Cortez, and cut back California, and Southern Nevada will be fine."
Karla B.
"Our penalty was more than the bill! We live on a 1+ acre lot with 50-year-old trees. We will help however we can to bring to light the excessive fees for large property owners. We have removed 1000 sq feet of grass and have reduced our usage by 90K gallons since last year. The 'program' is now offering 100.00 to plant a tree in our newly removed grass areas. What a joke, 100.00 to plant a tree we are not allowed to water. Thank you for your work on this, looking forward to becoming part of the voice."
Michael W.
"Properties need to be assessed based on their land size and not by an average the water district set for all properties making it unfair for anyone with a larger property."
Derik K.
"Our average summer bill was around $300. Now with these excessive water use charges they are over $500. We water per their regulations & are using less than last year. Something must be done!"
Neil H.
"Please help with the excessive charges. I am a self-employed senior citizen who has lived in this house for over 35 years."
Diane M.
"We live on a .36 acre lot and already converted 2000 sq ft of grass (opted not to apply for the refund) in our backyard. We have seven 30 year plus pine trees, a 30 plus year plus eucalyptus tree, a 20 plus year African sumac, a 20 plus year Carolina cherry tree, a 20 plus year olive tree, palm trees, yucca plants, over 1 dozen mature oleander, and lots of shrubs. I don't think it's fair that Vegas Valley Water District raised our rates while Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Boulder City opted out of raising their rates. Vegas Valley Water District is owned by SNWA hence the rate increase. Still not fair, but I guess all these excessive use fees help SNWA hide the fact that they bought alfalfa ranches in Northern Nevada and exporting the crop to China and Venezuela."
John A.
"I am sure the trees will be first to go, so why is one arm of the local government is planting 50k trees, this group is killing that same amount or more by this ban. I cannot imagine the purpose/charter of the water system is anything except, "Supply clean potable water to the community"…… They can help pay for desalinization and trade for the Colorado river with Mexico….. This whole idea is not thought out at all. You must stop Segerblom who already stole our airport naming rights away from the people who paid for the airport, and now he wants your water! This is crazy!"
Kim Y.
"Having a large lot with beautiful trees & bushes, we have replaced grass with turf and our trees are taking a hit health wise. Even after replacing & adding more drip lines. The excessive fees imposed are ridiculous……Oh and I have a major issue with The LV water authority and their alpha fields up north that they grow & sell to China. Grow it in another state where rainfall is more the norm. They should practice what they preach!"
Sherry T.
"Our last water bill was $787 due to excess use fees. We have a 17,000-sf lot and have lots of trees and plants; we’ve reduced our watering by 50% and now everything is dying."
Robert L.
"We live on .67 of an acre. When we built our house 25 years ago, we put in small trees and bushes. All were desert compatible. These trees and bushes are very big now. To try and conserve, we replaced our grass with artificial grass, and we are still getting 2 & 3 excess usage penalties. Our household for all these years consisted of 2 people and 2 dogs. We are totally disgusted and disappointed in the Las Vegas Valley Water District. Their tactics are unacceptable."
Christine Y.
"I have a 4,000 sq ft house with a pretty big backyard with a lot of plants. I’m having trouble affording my water bill and think it’s unfair for them to ask me to use the same amount of water as someone in a much smaller house than mine. I’ve never seen my bill this high before. Please help!"
Angela B.
"We were just fined $500 for last month even though we used 1/3 less water than the previous June."
Ermenia D.
"I have been penalized for watering all my trees, I have no grass and no leaks."
Kelli P.
"We have replaced the grass at our home with artificial turf. Because we have dogs that use the turf to relieve themselves, we still have to water the turf and spend countless dollars on cleaners, deodorizers and sanitizers to control the smell not to mention the hours spent maintaining it. I may argue it uses more water to keep it clean than it does to water grass. I feel that giving people a rebate to plant a new tree is a trap to charge more excess use fees. New trees take a lot of water to grow and keep healthy. All the money LVVWD is making off the community does not buy more water……. I don't understand why the environment and what will happen to all the creatures if we take grass out of our city isn't being considered. Birds, lizards, worms, bugs, and even more extreme temperatures."
R.M.
"We have a 1/2 acre lot and the allocation we get doesn't cover our plants. We have already taken out the grass and now have plastic grass with drought tolerant plants but just to water them we have a fine every month. I see properties that don't have a yard big enough for a picnic table and they get the same allocation as we are allocated."
Doug P.
"I took out 75% of the grass after I bought the house. Then replaced all sprinklers with high efficiency to keep our 5 mulberry trees. This was all in 2017/2018. So unfair I have the same allotment of water as small lots."
Gregory L.
"This is insane. And it's nothing more than yet another redistribution of wealth. If you own more land you must be rich so let's make you pay for the water other people use. People who own larger lots also pay more property tax. I am 74 years old. I worked all my life to have a paid off home. But even now that it is paid off I pay over $400 a month in excessive use charges for the privilege of being a tax paying, working member of society."
Susan F.
"I am careful with water usage, but I have a half-acre lot with eight 40-50 ft. pine trees that I can't let die. They provide so much shade and help keep my A/C usage down. With the new potential fines, I live in fear of getting a gigantic water bill. The rules should at least take into account lot size, family size, etc."
Moon C.
"Organize to vote against Ross Miller and other Clark County Commissioners who voted for the new rates in the next election."
Scott B.
"Typically, I plan for my summer water bill to be approximately $600 or so. This year I have had $800 and $768 so far for June and July. This is getting ridiculous. If someone starts a class action suit against the LVVWD, I will join it."
Karen R.
"Thank you.... We have 8 large trees plus 5 smaller trees to water. We are encouraged to plant trees but no credit for the large amount of water to keep them green. Do we let trees die to save water so we can afford the water bill? We spent thousands of dollars converting most of our backyard to artificial turf but still have excessive use charges."
Elizabeth S.
"I am a senior citizen, age 79, I have lived in Las Vegas 30+ years. I have a swimming pool, a yard with grass and am on a fixed income. Each month the Water Company fines me over $100+ I think it is an unfair fine. The water company is a not-for-profit utility. I do not use an excessive amount of water, but the water company fines me anyway. I believe this is an unfair tax on the citizens of Las Vegas. and, also against our civil rights. Hopefully someone can bring a class action lawsuit against the water company and rid us of this unfair tax."
Daniel Y.
"I am very concerned about the water restriction of 163,000 gallons of water in AB220 recently passed if a drought is declared. I would lose dozens of trees. New trees cost $ 500 plus the cost to remove the dead trees and plant a new one could easily total $ 1,000. I built my home in 1994 on 3 acres."
Jill O.
"I literally read an article in the RJ encouraging us to plant trees and offering "rebates" if we do. In the next breath the LVVWD punishes me for watering my DESERT trees by imposing excessive usage charges – TERRIBLE"
Loretta C.
"I have replaced grass with artificial. I have almost a half-acre with a pool. I have a garden (4 raised beds) where I grow fruits and vegetables that I share with neighbors. It is a downright shame that my garden can no longer be maintained and that your water restrictions will ruin my property value."
Lori C.
"My bill is always $60-$80 in the summer. I have lived in this house since 1996. Last month it was $1085. It was a sprinkler problem (which I believe is now resolved but I don't know unless I call and wait on hold 45 min a day to check the previous day usage) and because of the new Tier 3 and Tier 4 pricing, it added $900+ to my bill. I've talked to them multiple times and the only thing they could do is set up payments for me. It's a total rip off."
Walter C.
"Pool owners should be given a yearly (one time) exception to drain and refill their swimming pools. Water from pools is recycled and sent back to Lake Mead."
Helen K.
"Totally support your efforts. New water rates/fines discriminatory to older homes on larger properties."
Jacqueline C. S.
"When homeowners purchased homes years prior to the drought, we were encouraged to help Las Vegas grow, beautify our properties, help make LV more welcoming, and we did. Today you penalize the people who built this city with restrictions $ exorbitant penalties for what, power? To line your pockets? Either way you encourage new building at our expense! The City Council, Developers etc continue to get rich on our backs. There should have been considerations not penalties for long time homeowners. You literally are holding throngs of people hostage…they can’t afford landscape changes, they can’t sell, and due to extreme charges, many can’t pay! The citizens cannot carry the burden for gaming, business, and politicians—Fix this problem FAIRLY!"
Jim C.
"Where is all of this excess revenue the LVVWD is stealing from us going to? Why are Henderson & Boulder City residents not affected? Since the Lake Mead water level is predicted to rise by over 30 feet this year averting any water shortage, can a lawsuit against this realistically be won in a short timeframe? Thanks sincerely for your efforts!"
Mollie Miller
"I get the same amount of water per “Season” as someone with a lot a quarter of the size of mine!"
John A. B.
"If they don't stop building the river is going to go dry anyway."
Lindsay D.
"I live in RE zoning on an acre with City water. I attended two water district board meetings (Dec and Jan) and commented on how the excessive use charges are unfair for people on larger parcels, plus now my larger water meter costs way more since they changed the tier systems. The board members don't care. They said they'd call and didn't. The only way to change it is if there are enough people who make a big ruckus."
Bradford C.
"Our water usage has decreased year over year and our bill has almost doubled."
Alan H.
"Not fair that a property less than 3 miles from our property has no excess usage fee for the same water supply!"
Anna W.
"Everyone should pay the same water rate according to the amount used. There should be no tiers, or excess water fees. That is an unfair and discriminatory tax on a residential user. It is extortion of millions of dollars, and if it isn’t illegal, it should be. Homeowners are not, “Water Wasters!” They are just trying to keep their existing vegetation alive and preserve their environment. By imposing tiered and excess fees on a select group of individual property owners, the government is unfairly punishing them and imposing on their rights as property owners."
Angela S.
"I received $207.00 in excessive fees. We bought our house as well for the grass and kids. We live on a half-acre. Let's do something about this not so fair situation. Why do Henderson and Boulder City not have the same rules?"
Steve G.
"I believe those who enacted this illegal 'fine' should be held responsible for not only paying back the stolen monies but should pay to restore landscaping forced to be converted."
Larry P.
"According to a recent article from the Review journal "Nevada gets less than a 2 percent cut from the Colorado River’s waters" California gets 27%, Colorado 23%, Arizona 17% and Utah 11%."
Peter F.
"My frustration with these overage charges is that they are not being used to reduce our total water usage, but instead to enable additional building and construction. So SNWA and Clark County are basically adding a new, unvoted tax to long-term residents to fund wealthy builders, and the pockets of politicians via campaign contributions from those builders. That is just wrong on so many counts."
Carla T.
"Lot size 1.14 acre, have 4 horses on property which require more water. Very little grass in backyard and a pool."
Lee G.
"I think it would be useful to engage elected leaders and focus on the lack of alternatives considered other than the excessive use charge. I am very curious as to how these funds collected from the excessive use charge will be used. Another issue, according to the recent LVRJ article, Henderson and North Las Vegas did not adopt the excessive use charge. I thought the SNWA was to coordinate regional policies. I am a retired public sector executive, and I am disappointed in the lack of meaningful public outreach, failure to consider alternatives to the excessive use charges, and a lack of clear performance measures to ascertain whether these charges are working."
Austin O.
"I am so happy to see someone has taken action regarding the unfair water bills in LV. I live in the northwest on a half-acre. My water bill was almost $800 last month. I have 8 children and moved to this home so we could have grass and room to play. I’ll do whatever is needed to help fight this."
Richard M.
"We did what we were asked, took a $20,000 loan out to exchange our real grass for turf and we still got a $800 water bill last month."
Heather H.
"We live in a historic neighborhood and have a yard that is close to an acre. We have been hit with substantial, unforeseen excess water charges this summer, as have many of our neighbors. The craziest part for us is that the neighbors on the other side of Pecos are not being hit with the same charges."
Lori M.
"Thank you for doing this. Our home is 23 years old. We've lived here for 19 years. It's a half-acre lot and we simply do not have the money to take out all the landscaping. Between LVVWD and NV Energy we are going to have to sell our home. But now we are seriously concerned that it will not be sellable with these outrageous utility costs."
Jarrett H.
"Our bill went from 200-300 per month to over $800 with the district’s new rate structure. We live on over a half-acre with multiple mature trees and plants. Reducing our water use would mean killing multiple mature shade trees and plants therefor killing our property value and our own quality of life at our beautiful home."
Anonymous
"Read the RJ article. You guys aren't immune or special. Conserve like the rest of us. I've reached out to the commissioners below to tell them they made the right call."
Donna C.
"I have been calling, I asked why businesses are not limited and what do businesses pay, but no one could tell me. Waiting for the water company to call me back. Also sent an email, now they are paying people $100. Per tree to plant new trees. Well 12 minutes once a day is not enough water for a new or existing tree. Waiting for an email response."
Nancy Y.
"I cannot afford our excessive water bills, nor, changing the landscape. We’ve lived in same home since 1985. Our yard has brown and dead patches, yet the bill is outrageous. “One size fits all” isn’t the proper way to conserve water. There is always water for nonstop construction."
Ben R.
"Who is going to pay for the water for the pipe dream of planting 60,000 trees on private property? Small trees do not take much water, as they grow lots of water. Has anyone thought of that water consumption?"
Anna W.
In response to what the SNWA picture pushing a lush desert landscape as an alternative to natural grass. This is not what I see around the valley. I see rocks full of weeds, or rocks that use Roundup, or fake grass that generates heat in the environment and emits unsafe chemicals into the air, and dead trees and bushes all over the valley. These photos are propaganda so that the Southern Nevada Water authority can charge more money to pay for the boondoggle it made in buying land in northern Nevada to steal their water, but it failed. Now homeowners in southern Nevada are expected to pay the price and are being charged exorbitant water fees and called names such as water wasters, when they are actually providing a canopy for the concrete heat generating environment being pushed on us for greed and growth. These bureaucrats are abusing their authority and actually hurting the community. The truth is coming out and horticulture experts and engineers who were never consulted are speaking out against the Southern Nevada Authority and the Clark County Planning Commission for failing to protect the environment and public. Furthermore, the public was never properly notified of these actions in advance…..
Scott B.
I have already voted with my feet. After receiving numerous $800+ water bills, I sold my house and moved to Southern Virginia. I had lived in Las Vegas for over 35 years and my wife (65) was born and raised in LV, but enough was enough. Unfortunately, greed and unfairness has become a culture in the Silver State. It was time to move on.
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