In the past decade, despite increased rainfall, the drought conditions in Southern Nevada have increased. Part of the reason, of course, is the increased population of metropolitan Las Vegas, perhaps the fastest growing urban location in the nation now:
A water shortage is forcing fast-growing southern Nevada to plan price hikes and cut deals with other states, but officials say the biggest hurdle may be curbing water use in a city known for its excess (AP 1).
The regional water authority has launched a $1.3 million conservation drive in response to a drought that has Lake Mead at two-thirds of its capacity. The lake on the Colorado River can fill most of the region's water needs for another two years but is low enough to spark concern, scientists and officials said. "'This is the worst drought ever since they recorded water flows on the river,' said Pat Mulroy, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority.' But we live in a state of virtual reality in this town'" (AP 2). The virtual reality seems to come with water rate hikes. In 2003, "the Clark County Commissionàvoted to increase water rates an average of 29 percent" (Review-Journal 8). The way the plan will work is that those households using the most water will have to pay the largest increases. Obviously, the idea is to cut water consumption both by commercial and residential buildings.
Proof of the drought can be found in the fact that Lake Mead, which supplies the greatest amount of water to Las Vegas, is only at about 61% of capacity. The real problem is that:
[F]or a metropolitan area that's located in the middle of the desert, the Las Vegas Valley's economic identity remains uncharacteristically associated with water. From the Mirage's aquatic volcano and the Venetian's outdoor canals to lush golf coursesà..a quick drive around town belies the fact that Southern Nevada is currently suffering through one of its worst droughts in modern h...