Water Smarts Podcast
From the banks of the Colorado River and Lake Mead to the homes and businesses of Southern Nevada, the Water Smarts podcast covers how we treat, deliver, use, protect and conserve water in the Las Vegas Valley. Hosts Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke – along with experts from the Southern Nevada Water Authority who keep the water flowing – hope to make you a little smarter about the one thing that keeps us all connected – water.
Episodes
Recently, federal water regulators took an emergency step that would divert huge amounts of water to Lake Powell. The move will preserve the reservoir’s ability to generate power and avoid nearing deadpool – at the cost of dramatically cutting water to Lake Mead, likely sending the lake to its lowest level ever and cutting power output from Hoover Dam later this year. But if the water picture is so dire, why can’t Western states ag...
Spring has officially arrived, and desert landscapes are bursting back to life! In this episode of the Water Smarts Podcast, we’re joined by Star Nursery’s Joey Lynn, whose passion for plants is as vibrant as the season itself. Joey Lynn walks us through simple, practical ways to refresh your yard—from taking a mindful “walk about” to assess what’s thriving (and what’s not) to choosing the right replacements for struggling plants.
Ever wonder what resorts and businesses are doing to conserve water, or how Southern Nevada can continue to grow under drought conditions? Crystal and Bronson talk about those topics and more on this special episode of the Water Smarts Podcast, “TAP THE TRUTH: Crystal and Bronson answer your questions about all things water in Southern Nevada.”
Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke
Finding and fixing leaks can be challenging and expensive. The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) offer several programs that help homeowners pay for professional services to find and fix water-wasting leaks. JC Davis, LVVWD Director of Customer Care & Field Services, talks about the financial assistance programs and other useful tools available to customers, including those renti...
You probably never think about what happens when you flush the toilet, but a team of dedicated staff at the Clark County Water Reclamation District (CCWRD) make it their business to ensure our wastewater is treated and returned to Lake Mead. Southern Nevada recycles 100 percent of the water that goes down the drain or toilet. For every gallon of water returned to the lake, Southern Nevada can withdraw another gallon, helping stretc...
Southern Nevada relies on the Colorado River for 90 percent of its water supply, yet we receive the smallest share of the river. SNWA General Manager John Entsminger shares why ongoing collaboration between Colorado River water users is imperative to respond to climate change and aridification. John also talks about why Southern Nevada is one of the most water secure Colorado River Basin states, what future water sources the agency...
Southern Nevada is one of the fastest warming regions in the United States and rising temperatures are straining our urban forest. The City of North Las Vegas (NLV) is working to protect its residents from increased temperatures, which are expected to rise as much as 9 degrees by mid Century. NLV Municipal Forester Eddie Rodriguez shares how the city is adapting and preparing for a warmer future and shares how residents can take ac...
The City of Henderson boasts some of the best parks in the nation, but the city isn’t sitting on its laurels. Henderson is ensuring its parks remain beautiful, but also water smart. Henderson’s Municipal Forester Preston Goodman talks trees, athletic fields, and plans for a shade-filled future on this episode of the Water Smarts Podcast, “NATIONAL TREASURE: Henderson parks are nationally-recognized AND water smart.”
Hosts: Bronson M...
Runoff in the Colorado River is expected to be 55 percent of normal this year which means Lake Mead water levels will drop. Lake levels and inflows to the lake can impact our drinking water supply. Limnologists Todd Tietjen and Deena Hannoun share how their research helps protect our drinking water, and how their studies help other Colorado River Basin water agencies on this episode of the Water Smarts Podcast.
Hosts: Bronson Mack ...
SNWA researchers have been at the forefront of emerging water issues for the past 25 years, and their discoveries have helped protect Southern Nevada’s drinking water supply. SNWA scientists have helped stop quagga mussel infestations from blocking water intake pipes and helped implement ozonation to the water treatment process. Eric Wert, Water Quality Research & Development Manager, talks about the emerging issues the lab cur...
The SNWA Youth Conservation Council (YCC) is hosting the Earth Day Celebration at the Springs Preserve on April 19. YCC members share details about the event’s super cool activities and the new children’s book they’ve created. They also discuss why they’re passionate about water conservation on this episode of the Water Smarts Podcast.
Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke
It takes a lot of engineering and expertise to deliver water throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Buck Osborne, Operations Director for the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), talks about how our water system is designed and maintained to ensure access to our water supply, even during emergencies and natural disasters. Buck shares how SNWA’s investment in our water infrastructure ensures a secure, reliable water supply.
Hosts: Bro...
When Las Vegas Valley artesian springs ran dry decades ago, several species disappeared from the landscape. Rewilding projects at the Springs Preserve have helped rebuild the native habitat and protect endangered species like the Pahrump Poolfish, Relict Leopard Frog and Desert Tortoise. Dr. Ray Saumure, SNWA Senior Environmental Biologist, talks about the challenges of repopulating endangered species and how the discovery that the...
AB356—the Nevada law that prohibits use of Colorado River water to irrigate nonfunctional turf—takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. Mike Bernardo, SNWA Enterprise Conservation Manager, talks about the law and how SNWA can help property owners prepare. Mike also addresses community concerns about replacing grass with drip-irrigated plants and trees, and how new alternative grasses can be a water-smart option for thirsty lawns on the Water Sma...
Why doesn’t Las Vegas need water towers like in the Midwest? How is SNWA protecting the community’s water supply from the impacts of drought? How can homeowners get help paying to find and fix water leaks? Doa Ross, SNWA Deputy General Manager of Engineering, answers these questions and more on the Water Smarts Podcast, “ALWAYS ON TAP: Pipes & pumps keep water flowing in Las Vegas.”
Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke
Las Vegas owes its very existence to groundwater. Native peoples relied on natural springs that bubbled to the surface; early settlers farmed using water from the springs and groundwater aquifer; and Las Vegas became a townsite because the railroad needed a stop where it could refill its steam locomotive water tanks. The Las Vegas Springs stopped flowing in 1962, but Southern Nevada still relies on the groundwater aquifer for 10 pe...
Relief from the scorching summer heat is nearing, and it’s time to prep your yard for fall and winter. Horticulturist and arborist Joey Lynn from Star Nursery joins us to talk landscape tips and suggest plants and trees that thrive in the desert. Find out how you can have year-round color in your yard, when to prune plants, and what grows in your garden in the cooler months on the Water Smarts Podcast, “IN SEASON: Star Nursery’s ti...
Despite appearances, the Las Vegas Strip resorts only consume 6 percent of Southern Nevada’s water supply. MGM Resorts Vice President of Sustainability Michael Gulich, and SNWA Conservation Manager Mike Bernardo talk about how the hotels use water, including why the Bellagio Fountain does not impact Southern Nevada’s Colorado River water allocation. From replacing moats with artificial turf to testing new technologies, MGM Resorts ...
Leaks are an expensive nuisance, increasing your water bill and costing hundreds if not thousands of dollars to repair. They also impact the community’s water supply when you combine the water lost to leaks at all Southern Nevada homes and businesses. JC Davis, the director of Customer Care & Field Services at the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD), shares details about a new suite of programs from LVVWD and the Southern N...
Ever wonder what's in your tap water? You can find test results of the drinking water supply in your water agency’s Water Quality Report, which is published each summer. Carolyn Faircloth, the Water Quality Laboratory Manager for the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), talks about the reports and addresses common questions about issues such as odor, taste and PFAS on the Water Smarts Podcast, “STRAIGHT FROM THE TAP: What’...
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