Truckee Meadows water issues

We MUST save our precious water supply for future generations.

We live in a high desert area. Water is one of our most critical and limited resources.

The Truckee River - our most precious resource.

On the last page of the “Interim Western Regional Water Commission Report” dated 9/19/07, it states that Washoe County currently has water resources for 600,000 people, and that Truckee Meadows has plans for growth to 600,000 by 2030 and to 1.2 million within the next 100 years. Why would ANY sane entity deliberately plan to grow to twice its water capacity, even in 100 years?

VSG members understand that growth is essential for a vital community, but Nevada’s growth rate for the last 50 years has averaged 4% annually. We must slow the planned growth rate to one that is sustainable. If we don’t, the water supply will become so critical and so expensive that lawns and gardens will be luxuries, and residents will be reduced to drastic measures to reduce their water usage, such as limiting dishwashing and showers. If we don't do something soon, that's what unchecked growth will eventually lead to.

Washoe County has a checkered history of fairly compensating residents who have lived in the area for years, only to see their wells sucked dry by overdevelopment. An example of this abuse are the residential wells which have gone dry in the Mount Rose area.

Projected water use chart

Projected annual growth rate chart for Washoe County

Red Rock Valley residents recently had to beat back an attempt to raid their water for more Reno sprawl.

Washoe County residents passed a ballot initiative (WC3) by an overwhelming margin in order to tie growth plans to known and sustainable water supplies. Yet there still remains a worrisome bias in local government towards the temporary band-aid of "finding new water," rather than living within our current water resources.

Importing water is NOT why 73% of voters voted overwhelmingly in favor of the water initiative. The chart on the left shows the impact of the planned average growth rate (2% per the Commission report cited above) vs. more sustainable rates of 1% or better yet .5%.