Janelle L. Boelter

The Water Nerd Conference brought together water utility research leaders from across the country and Canada to learn about the Southern Nevada Water Authority's research program. Key discussion points emphasized the importance of research for providing safe, clean drinking water across small, medium, and large utilities. Attendees participated in a plant tour of the River Mountains water treatment facility and toured subgroups focused on research chemistry, research microbiology, and process teams. The host organization was selected due to its strong reputation and investment in its research program.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority's Horizon Lateral project is a significant capital improvement initiative designed to enhance water system reliability and support economic growth in Southern Nevada. This plan focuses on building critical redundancy into the water supply system for the southern part of the valley. It involves constructing a new large-diameter pipeline, two pumping stations, a 40-million-gallon concrete reservoir, and extensive underground tunneling. The project evaluates northern and southern alignments based on factors such as minimizing public disruption, environmental impact, cost, and schedule, with an ultimate goal of ensuring reliable water delivery for approximately one million people, meeting future water demands, and creating jobs.

The Board approved the agenda, excluding items 4 and 5, and approved the minutes from the September 18, 2025 regular meeting. Under the Consent Agenda, actions included adopting the Annual Operating Plan for the Southern Nevada Water System, approving an interlocal agreement with the Clark County School District for water sample sharing, and approving an amended road use agreement with Copper Mountain Solar 3, LLC for transmission line extension access. The Business Agenda involved several contract awards and approvals, such as awarding contracts for irrigation well drilling, Pumping Station Expansion construction, and potable water tank rehabilitation. The Board also approved entering into an agreement for Construction Manager at Risk pre-construction services for the AMSWTF Flocculation Area Rehabilitation Project and approved a line extension agreement with NV Energy for the Garnet Valley Water Transmission System. Resolutions were adopted concerning the refunding, payment, cancelation, or defeasance of certain Las Vegas Valley Water District General Obligation Bonds. Furthermore, the Board accepted the Authority's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2025, adopted the 2026 Water Resource Plan, and adopted the 2026 Water Budget. Staff provided updates on water resources, including Colorado River drought conditions, conservation programs, and water resource acquisition. Public comments addressed concerns about corporate water usage subsidies and conservation incentives.

The agenda for the Board of Directors meeting included several potential actions. Key items involved the renewal of the Interlocal Contract authorizing the Las Vegas Valley Water District's General Manager to manage the Authority's affairs. The Board was also set to consider the award of a bid for motor control units and switchgear, not to exceed $20,000,000 over seven years. Furthermore, approvals were sought for a Change Order increasing a contract with Las Vegas Paving Corporation for maintenance of Las Vegas Wash erosion control structures by up to $1,800,000 and extending the time by 365 days, and an agreement with SWCA Environmental Consultants for daily environmental compliance monitoring for the Garnet Valley Projects, not to exceed $36,000,000. Other business included authorizing the General Manager to sign a change order for erosion control maintenance, enter into an agreement for environmental compliance monitoring, and adopt a resolution authorizing the refunding of Water Revenue Refunding Bonds.

The meeting included discussions and possible actions regarding the approval of the agenda, adoption of the Annual Operating Plan for the Southern Nevada Water System, and interlocal agreements with the Clark County School District for water sampling and cooling tower upgrades. Additional agenda items covered contract awards for drilling irrigation wells, construction of pumping station expansions, construction manager services for the AMSWTF Flocculation Area Rehabilitation Project, and a line extension agreement with Nevada Power Company for the Garnet Valley Water Transmission System. The board also considered resolutions for refunding Las Vegas Valley Water District bonds, accepting the Authority's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, and adopting the 2026 Water Resource Plan and Water Budget. An update on water resources, including drought conditions and conservation efforts, was also provided.