Saturday, May 29, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: Reclaimed water a go

Another way to conserve

The county sanitation district's push to use more "reclaimed" water in an effort to conserve the valley's drinking supply makes good sense.

Some people, of course, might be squeamish about irrigating parks and other areas with treated sewage. But their fears are misplaced.

In the first place, it's nothing new here. Many golf courses already use reclaimed water -- and have done so for years without any problems. Henderson and the city of Las Vegas have reclamation facilities.

In addition, the technology exists today to ensure recyled water is virtually indistinguishable from drinking water.

"Reclaimed water at the standards we have is as clean or cleaner than the drinking water in most of the world," said Marty Flynn, spokesman for the Clark County Water Reclamation District (which recently upgraded its name from the less appealing "sanitation district").

The district hopes to have a pilot program up and running by the end of next year at the park near Sam Boyd stadium. It hopes to expand that to other area parks within a few years.

The cost of building additional pipelines and pumping stations throughout the valley to handle the non-potable water will run into the millions, but can be accommodated under the existing sewage rate structure.

Given the current drought -- and the valley's limited water supply -- it's wasteful to maintain the region's parks and playing fields with drinking water. As the technology surrounding reclaimed water advances, Southern Nevada would be foolish not to take advantage of it. LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL ¥ SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2004