In the next 20 years, Las Vegas might be the most environmentally sustainable city in the southwest US. LV has set up amazing infrastructure to converse resources in the searing heat of the Mojave Desert. Here are the 3 main things Las Vegas is doing that other US cities should take note of: 1/ Las Vegas recycles 80% of all water used indoors. We’re the only major city in the US that has water recycling infrastructure to rival South Africa and Saudi Arabia. As a result, Las Vegas is one of the few drought-tolerant cities in the USA — and we’re in a desert! 2/ Las Vegas is leading the way on turf removal projects. Real grass in Las Vegas requires lots of irrigation, so the city has outlawed decorative grass and required the removal of all nonfunctional turf by 2026. Residents can still own lawns and parks will still have fields, but any excess grass will be removed, which will further save on water. 3/ Las Vegas invests heavily in electricity. The city is built to withstand the heat. There’s plenty of electrical capacity for AC. Regardless of heat waves or global temperatures rising, Las Vegas has the electricity to handle these environmental challenges. These 3 big investments in infrastructure and sustainability will allow Las Vegas to keep its residents healthy and happy over the next 2 decades.
What about water? Lake Mead was showing more and more of the banks last time I was out.
Sr. Auditor at City of Las Vegas
8moI agree with your statement but what I have found is that when you think you have it all wrapped up. That is generally when you get weak and don't practice for what could come next. You have to stay lean and mean and plan on ways to make sure fresh food is available even in our desert environment. Start making investments in building cisterns. Just some some of the things to make our jewel even better.