Water Smarts Podcast

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 stretch our limited water supply. CCWRD’s Bud Cranor talks about the CCWRD’s important-albeit smelly-job of ensuring they squeeze and clean every drop of water they collect from the valley’s sanitary sewer on the Water Smarts Podcast, “SUSTAINABLE WATER RECYCLING: Don’t be a Pain in the Drain.” Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 is considering, and how the community has helped protect its water supply. Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 action as well on the Water Smarts Podcast, “North Las Vegas works to protect community from rising temperatures.” Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/

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 Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 currently is tracking and what might be the next generation of water treatment on this episode of the Water Smarts Podcast. Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 https://www.snwa.com/

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: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 tiny frogs are cannibalistic may help ensure a sustainable population. Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 Smarts Podcast, “THIRST QUENCHERS: Nevada’s nonfunctional grass law and alternative grasses help protect community’s water supply.” Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 https://www.snwa.com/

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 percent of its water supply. Learn more about groundwater and how the Southern Nevada Water Authority helps protect the aquifer on the Water Smarts Podcast, “WHAT LIES BENEATH: Southern Nevada groundwater is a hidden resource for the community.” Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 tips for fall and winter.” Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 is ensuring its properties and operations are as water smart as possible. Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 Nevada Water Authority that will help homeowners pay for professional services to find and fix leaks. Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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’s in your drinking water?” Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 TRASH? Why what you flush impacts our water cycle.” Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke www.snwa.com https://www.snwa.com/

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-efficient cooling options. SNWA conservation expert Mike Weintz and WaterStart Interim Executive Director Rebecca Shanahan talk about options for large buildings, promising new technologies, and rebates to help pay for them on the Water Smarts Podcast, “COOL TRENDS: How businesses can keep cool & stay water smart.” Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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 rebate, which will DECREASE for nonfunctional grass projects at the end of this year. Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/

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.” Hosts: Bronson Mack and Crystal Zuelke https://www.snwa.com/ https://www.snwa.com/