When people talk about their concerns over the future of Southern Nevada’s access to water, they’re often talking about the Colorado River.
The bathtub ring that encircles the waters of Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir, has become the ever-present reminder of the Southwest’s reliance on a dwindling resource.
New analysis from researchers at Arizona State University suggests communities may be using that water faster than previously thought.
Using satellite imagery, researchers say Western states have used as much as 27 million acre-feet of groundwater over the last two decades, an amount comparable to Lake Mead.
In other words, communities in the Southwest have drawn more than twice the amount of water from the ground than other major surface reservoirs, such as Lake Mead and Lake Powell, which have also been taxed.
So, what does this mean for Nevada, the country’s driest state? And can communities across the southwest continue to grow despite the strains on water?
To talk about that, I’m joined now by Colby Pellegrino. She’s the Deputy General Manager overseeing Resources for the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
Guest: Colby Pellegrino, deputy general manager overseeing resources, Southern Nevada Water Authority
