Water Smarts Podcast

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’...

Because Southern Nevada recycles 100% of the water it uses indoors, it’s important you know what you shouldn’t flush or put down the drain. Nearly all our wastewater is highly treated and returned to Lake Mead. Michael Phillips with the Clark County Water Reclamation District talks about how wastewater plays an important role in our water cycle, and how you can help protect our water supply on the Water Smarts Podcast, “TOILET OR T...

In Southern Nevada, grass is the largest consumer of the community’s water supply. But, did you know that the evaporative cooling systems chilling large buildings like hotels and schools are the second largest consumer of our water? The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) has implemented a moratorium on new evaporative cooling systems and offers rebates for properties to upgrade or replace existing systems to more water-efficien...

The clock is ticking! AB356, the state law prohibiting use of Colorado River water to irrigate nonfunctional turf, takes effect in less than three years. Businesses, HOAs and multifamily properties need to replace grass with drip-irrigated plants and trees by Jan. 1, 2027. SNWA conservation expert Patrick Watson shares how SNWA can help property owners comply with the law and take advantage of the current Water Smarts Landscape reb...

It’s no secret the SNWA Water Smart Landscapes rebate helps property owners replace water-thirsty grass with drip-irrigated trees and plants. Now the cat’s out of the bag on the rebate’s increase to $5 per square foot. Learn how you can take advantage of this temporary increase from SNWA conservation expert Toby Bickmore on the Water Smarts Podcast, “REBATE RISING: Landscape rebate increased to $5 a sq ft for residential properties...

When Tropical Storm Hilary hit the Mount Charleston area, the resulting flood wiped away roads, downed power lines and washed out water mains. Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) crews were on the scene within hours of the storm assessing the damage and planning repairs to the badly damaged water system in the Kyle Canyon community. LVVWD’s Aaron Gamble and Tom Burns talk about the emergency response efforts that included helpi...

As Southern Nevada enters its third year under federally-declared shortage conditions, the community is thriving and surviving despite the water cuts. Colby Pellegrino, SNWA Deputy General Manager of Resources, talks about Colorado River Basin conditions, negotiations around future water supplies, and how conservation is helping the community live under shortage conditions. Hear more on this episode of the Water Smarts Podcast.

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John Entsminger, Southern Nevada Water Authority general manager, recently joined Jeff Szabo, the CEO of the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA), for a lively discussion about East Coast vs. West Coast water issues. Serving 1.2 million people in New York, SCWA is one of the largest groundwater suppliers in the nation. While the sources of water for the two agencies differ, one thing is clear: conservation is key to ensuring the l...

Business leaders and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) have collaborated on a Water Investment Rating tool to evaluate new businesses looking to locate in the community. The two-phase rating system relies on quantitative and qualitative calculations to determine the water footprint of new businesses and the benefit to the community. Dave Johnson, SNWA Deputy General Manager of Operations, shares insights into why the ratin...

The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) has two new initiatives to encourage more tree plantings and expand the community’s urban forest. Zane Marshall, SNWA’s Director of Water Resources, shares details about how property owners can get a cash incentive of $100 per new tree planted as part of the Water Smart Landscapes Rebate. Marshall also talks about the long-term benefit of a robust urban forest on episode 43 of the Water Sm...

From finding leaks in 6,500 miles of buried pipeline to managing the complexities of regulatory compliance, technology is helping agencies like the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) solve the unique challenges facing the water industry. Dave Lynch, CEO of technology company Klir, and SNWA’s Deputy General Manager of Operations Dave Johnson talk tech and how the nonprofit WaterStart helps match innovators with water utilities l...

Leaks inside and outside your home can cause devastating damage and significantly increase your water bill. The Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) has improved its leak notification system so that customers get notified within days of a potential problem and before a high water bill may arrive. We talk with Dennis Demera, LVVWD Customer Care & Field Services Manager, about the new system and how customers can ensure they’r...

As summer heats up, we all drink more water. You can find out what’s in your tap water by reviewing your water agency’s Water Quality Report. Carolyn Faircloth, the Water Quality Laboratory Manager for the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), talks about how to determine what’s in your drinking water and why it meets all state and federal standards on episode 40 of the  Water Smarts Podcast, “WHAT’S IN YOUR TAP WATER?”

Hosts: Bro...

If you have a plumbing problem, do you know how to find a qualified professional to fix it? The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) takes the heavy lifting out of your search with its new Water Smart Plumbers program. Toby Bickmore with SNWA’s Conservation team explains the new online resource, what plumbers must do to qualify for the program, and how you can benefit from this new, free resource. Learn more on the Water Smarts P...

City of Henderson (COH) is leading by example with its many water-saving projects. COH Municipal Forester Preston Goodman shares how replacing more than 2 million square feet of grass at 50 Henderson parks will save millions of gallons of water annually without impacting play areas. Find out how on the Water Smarts Podcast, “Henderson parks go water smart.”

Water Smarts Podcast Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke

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There are more than 3,000 HOA communities in Southern Nevada, and all must be in compliance with a new Nevada law requiring decorative grass be replaced with water-smart options by the end of 2026. With HOA board turnover and multiple points of contact, how is the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) ensuring the HOAs are aware of and in compliance with the new law, which will save more than 5 billion gallons annually? Join SNWA’...

Trees are an important part of our community and urban environment, especially as we face a hotter, drier future in Southern Nevada. To protect our water supply, many residents and business owners are replacing water-thirsty grass with water-smart landscapes, but the upgrade process can put trees in jeopardy. Star Nursery experts Dr. Q and Joey Lynn Watt talk about how to shield trees during a landscape conversion and best practice...

Necessity is the mother of invention, and a 20-year megadrought is the driving force behind several new aggressive water conservation measures in Southern Nevada. Doug Bennett, SNWA Conservation Manager, and JC Davis, Director of Customer Care & Field Services for the Las Vegas Valley Water District, talk about how you might be impacted by the new conservation initiatives and what you can do to drive down your water use on the ...

As Southern Nevada faces the second year of water reductions due to a federally-declared shortage on the Colorado River, water agencies are implementing new conservation measures and rate changes to drive down community water use. Water Smarts Podcast hosts Crystal Zuelke and Bronson Mack discuss two water rate changes that could mean significant increases for some customers if they don’t reduce their water use. Learn about these n...