The amount we pay for water is going to increase. The Las Vegas Valley Water District this week approved rate hikes that will increase monthly bills for homeowners by $11 over three years from 2016 to 2018. Businesses are expected to pay more.
The money is needed to pay for a new $650 million pumping station at Lake Mead. The new pumping station will work even if lake elevation levels drop below 1,000 feet because of the continuing drought.
The newest intake into Lake Mead, commonly known as the third straw, finally broke through the bottom of lake late last year. County Commissioner Mary Beth Scow told KNPR’s State of Nevada that the new pumping station will be needed to move the water brought up from the third straw to the Las Vegas valley.
She said construction on the pumping station will start in a few months and take five years to finish.
People will start seeing the rate increase on their bills in the spring.
The Clark County Commission serves as the board of the water district.
GUEST:
Steve Sisolak, commission, Clark County Commission
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