Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003 | 11:17 a.m.
The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce is launching a drive to have its business members save water that is used outdoors.
The goal of the organization, which will unveil its effort today, is to recruit 100 chamber members in the next six months to replace "ornamental" turf with low-water-use landscaping. The Southern Nevada Water Authority, which is working for community-wide cuts in water use in response to four years of drought, has estimated that a successful drive would save about 80 million gallons of water a year and convert about 30 acres to desert landscaping.
The initiative is dubbed H2KNOW, and as part of the program business members of the chamber will receive details on water conservation measures, turf-conversion rebates and how this can affect a business's bottom line.
The water authority has backed moves by local governments throughout Clark County to institute new rules governing water use, rules that particularly affect residential and commercial water use outdoors.
Catherine Levy, a chamber spokeswoman, said the chamber recognizes that cutting back on some of the water wasted or used on ornamental, nonfunctional turfs is good business.
"We're a force in the community," Levy said. "We have access to so many people that clearly we can have a major impact.
"If the water supply becomes an issue, it certainly won't be a positive thing for new businesses. Having a short supply of water is certainly not an attractive trait."
The water authority has been criticized by consumers who charge that the agency, which delivers wholesale water to municipal distributors throughout the urban area, is sacrificing green lawns and low water bills to provide water for new development.
The chamber represents the area's major developers and many associated companies, but Levy said her organization's drive isn't about the sometimes contentious political debate over the water authority's conservation efforts.
"That's certainly not our motivation behind this program," she said. "The 30 billion gallons that are wasted each year, one-third of our water apportionment, is the issue.
"It's not so much an issue of growth as it is an issue of waste," Levy said.
Chamber President Kara Kelley is scheduled to announce the initiative today at the organization's offices, where the chamber management has targeted some turf to convert to desert landscaping.
Kelley said Las Vegas has had a vibrant economy for a long time, but water is key to continued economic health.
"In order to sustain our success, we all need to be smart about water use," she said. "We live in a desert and we are in the midst of the worst drought on record."
She asked all of the chamber members to examine their water use.
Doug Bennett, Southern Nevada Water Authority water conservation manager, said the importance of the program goes beyond the water savings by individual businesses.
"I think the most important thing is the chamber is getting out there and saying this is an important path for the community," Bennett said. "The message that business has a role in this process is more important than the savings by individual businesses.
"Every sector has a role to play. The residents are looking to government, business and industry to take a leadership role in this process."
The goal of the water authority is to come as close to the region's basic apportionment from the Colorado River of 300,000 acre-feet per year. Doing so will mean that the water authority would not have to dip into stored reserves that, agency officials believe, will be critically important in the years to come before large-scale, new sources come on line, which they expect in about 10 years.
Bennett said that thus far, nonresidential users -- among them business, industry and governments -- are saving more than a half-billion gallons of water annually; 190 acres of turf have been converted to low water-use landscaping; and the water authority has provided $4.2 million in rebates to customers who convert turf.
"That shows what can be accomplished," Bennett said. "We just need more people on board ... it's the collective impact. It takes the actions of lots of individuals to turn the kind of numbers that we're looking for."
archive
