Living in one of the driest metropolitan areas in the country means doing all we can as a community to protect our limited water resources. Diagnosing and repairing leaks at home is a crucial element of our water conservation efforts. Repairing or replacing hidden water wasters at your home—such as dripping faucets or faulty toilet flappers—can help prevent water waste and save money on your water bill.
Perhaps the biggest concern facing property owners is a leak in their water service line—and determining who’s responsible for repairs. The simple answer is this: if the leak is on the street side of the water meter—that is, not on your property—the water provider, such as the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) and the cities of Boulder City, Henderson, and North Las Vegas, is responsible for repairs. But if the leak is between the meter and the property, the owner assumes responsibility for the repairs. Find out what steps you can follow to determine if there is a leak in your service line by visiting snwa.com.
To facilitate repairs, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) recently launched a Water Smart Plumber program. This program features knowledgeable plumbers who have received comprehensive training through SNWA-sponsored workshops. A list of participating plumbers is available at snwa.com.
You also can mitigate unknown water leaks by installing a smart leak detection device that sends information directly to your smartphone and can alert you to a potential leak. The SNWA offers a rebate of 50 percent off the purchase price or $200, whichever is less.
If left unabated, wasteful water leaks can cause extensive property damage and drive up your water bill—and could incur excessive use charges if you are a customer of the LVVWD.
Meanwhile, using water smartly and preventing water waste is especially critical during our hot summer months. As a reminder, the community’s summer landscape watering schedule is in effect from May 1 through Aug. 31. The summer restrictions prohibit spray irrigation from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. when water can be lost to intense heat and high winds.
- Watering in the early morning or evening reduces the amount of water lost to evaporation.
- Watering during prohibited hours or allowing water to spray or flow off your property is considered water waste and may result in a costly fine.
- Irrigate grass with pop-up sprinklers for a maximum of 12 minutes per watering day, set in three four-minute cycles spaced one hour apart. That’s all your grass needs.
- Run drip systems two or three days per week – plants and trees need less water than grass.
- And remember, Sunday watering is prohibited year-round!
Visit snwa.com for more information on how to detect and repair water leaks and avoid costly water waste fees.
Members of the editorial and news staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal were not involved in the creation of this content.