Water district budget includes funds for pipeline project

The Las Vegas Valley Water District expects to deliver less water to customers and more money to its wholesale supplier in the coming year, according to a new $436.5 million spending plan approved Monday.

Nearly a quarter of the district's budget is wrapped up in a single line item: a $105.1 million "pass through" to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which imposed an infrastructure surcharge on customers earlier this year to help fund the construction of a third water intake at Lake Mead.

The new fee began showing up on bills this month.

On top of the money it will collect for the authority, the water district plans to spend $331.4 million during the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. That's $3.6 million more than the current budget, thanks to an increase in capital expenses and bond payments. But the valley's largest water utility actually expects its operating expenses to drop by almost $9 million in the coming year, as the district maintains its current staffing level, keeps vacant positions vacant, and pays less for energy and other costs.

The Clark County Commission, which serves as the district's board of directors, signed off on the spending plan in a unanimous vote.

District officials expect to add 1,780 new customers to the system in the coming year. That's up from the all-time low of 280 in 2009 but still well shy of the 20,000 hook-ups the utility was experiencing annually during the boom.

But even with additional customers, the district still expects to sell roughly $12 million less water in the coming year as valley residents continue to curb their water consumption.

The Las Vegas Valley Water District operates more than 4,500 miles of pipes, 65 pumping stations and 68 reservoirs to serve some 1.3 million residents in Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County.

Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350.