Southern Nevada Water Authority to Fund Conservation Efforts in Mexico
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Southern Nevada Water Authority is making deals with Arizona and Mexico to ensure enough H20 in the years to come for the Las Vegas area.
The authority plans to spend up to $7.5 million in Mexico over the next 10 years in exchange for more Colorado River water.
Authority board members approved the payments Thursday as they also approved a sweeping water-sharing agreement the U.S. and Mexico are expected to sign next month, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports (http://bit.ly/2vitRHI ).
Under the pact, the authority, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and water agencies in Arizona and California would provide $31.5 million for water efficiency improvements in Mexico through 2026. In return, the agencies would share nearly enough Colorado River water to supply the Las Vegas Valley for one year.
Mexico is expected to use the money to line canals, repair pipes, curb runoff from farm fields and other water-saving projects.
Before Thursday’s board vote, water authority General Manager John Entsminger said the broader treaty amendment is important to both countries because it spells out what is expected of everyone if a shortage is declared on the Colorado River. Otherwise, he said, the U.S. and Mexico could find themselves in a fight over the river at the same time they’re trying to manage “a potential water crisis,” he said.
Related News
From Archive
- U.S. water reuse boom to fuel $47 billion in infrastructure spending through 2035
- Major water pipe break in Puerto Rico hits over 165,000 customers
- Potomac River Tunnel project enters construction phase beneath Washington, D.C.
- U.S. Army Corps approves Enbridge's $500 million Line 5 Tunnel project
- Mexico accelerates $6.7 billion water infrastructure plan amid U.S. water disputes
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines
- Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
- CASE Launches New Equipment Configurator At CaseCE.com
- Utah city launches historic $70 million tunnel project using box jacking under active rail line

Comments