LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Both sides can’t agree on whether there is an issue underneath Las Vegas, but homeowners are making their argument in public amid a health district discussion.
The Southern Nevada Water Authority sent a notice to some homeowners alerting them of their choice to either abandon their private septic systems or risk a costly conversion to hook up to the city sewer system.
Officials pointed to the hundreds of millions of gallons of water that could be captured, recycled, and reused annually as a reason for the change, but some residents questioned the water authority’s reasoning. The authority for the change sits with the Southern Nevada Health District, after the 2023 passing of Nevada Assembly Bill 220.
Gail Powers and her over 20 horses have used their private well and system for decades. (KLAS)
However, rural Las Vegas residents, who use and rely on private septic systems, say the change is unfairly targeting them and lacking urgency.
“It is a solution in search of a problem,” Nevada State Republican Assemblywoman Lisa Cole said.
Cole represents residents in the northwest Las Vegas valley, many surrounded by peacocks and horses, and although she said water conservation is important, she added that this proposal was not the answer.
Nevada State Republican Assemblywoman Lisa Cole represents residents in the northwest Las Vegas valley. (KLAS)
“Sometimes you throw a whole bunch of stuff at the wall and you see what sticks and what works and what doesn’t,” she said. “I’d say this, rule needs to be massaged quite a bit to make it make sense for people.”
The newly proposed policy allows for residents to opt and of the voluntary fee of around $200, but with that comes the risk of paying upwards of $40,000 in conversion costs.
“They sort of took that authority and they morphed it into something a little bit different, which is to punish people,” Cole said.
In the same neighborhood, Gail Powers and her over 20 horses have used their private well and system for decades. She agreed with Cole and added that she thinks the health district lacks authority on the water issue.
“My septic system works just fine. It has for years,” Powers said. “We haven’t had any problems with it whatsoever. Why would I abandon a perfectly good sector system to hook up to municipal sewer and set myself up for a monthly bill when it’s unnecessary?”
Powers added that the new policy change has made her skeptical of officials and their reasoning for the change.
In the same neighborhood, Gail Powers and her over 20 horses have used their private well and system for decades. (KLAS)
“I just don’t trust it, either entity, the water authority or the health district at all,” she said. “And then they wonder why we don’t like them.”
The health district is having another public comment meeting tomorrow morning, and a vote on the issue is expected in October. You can make your public comment by sending it to septics@snhd.org.
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