Las Vegas is situated in a dry part of the country that gets about eight inches of rainfall per annum. The water issue is an important one in this robust city that has a population of about two million people. Just like in any other city or country water plays a vital role in the growth and development of an area and Las Vegas is no exception. On the other hand, it is also a limiting factor especially when it is not adequate. In recent times Las Vegas has been facing a looming water shortage crisis.
Lake Mead water reservoir in the US faces the danger of running dry (Ellman, p. 1). This reservoir was constructed in the 1930s after the Hoover dam. However, Steve Maich reported in a Toronto-based 28th publication that the water level of the lake had dropped. The lake happens to be the primary source of water for Las Vegas and this is an alarming development for the urban area which has a rapid population growth and is projected to be about three million by the year 2020. The water shortage crisis is worrying because officials have warned that water supplies for Las Vegas could run dry in six years’ time with the receding water levels in the reservoir and the current drought which has been in the area for a long time. By the year 2000 the water level was at 1,225 feet and today the level has dropped to 1,112 feet.
Alternative sources are required because the city will have to accommodate more people. Many people move to the city for economic opportunities available and the lure of the lifestyle which many like. The migration of people to Las Vegas cannot be stopped thus the need for diversification of water supplies. The city leaders have proposed the construction of a water pipe to tap water from Eastern Nevada and supply the rising needs of the city. On the other hand, this option is opposed by some who say it would only make the situation worse because the amount of water available underground is limited. Therefore the city’s environment and the economy would be adversely affected.
Water levels continue to drop despite the city’s water conservation measure initiated in the year 2000 which has cut the consumption by twenty-one billion gallons every year. The option of siphoning water from Eastern Nevada so as to reduce the city’s reliance on Lake Mead for its water supply to about 60 percent down from 90 percent is not a satisfactory idea. Scientists believe that the city has to look for alternative sources of water because due to the long-term drought even the alternative supplies may end up becoming unviable. Some people continue to water their lawns and this increases the water problem says Mulroy the CEO of South Nevada Water Authority.
Climate change has caused the Colorado River’s water volume to reduce yet it is the river that provides power for the turbines in the Hoover Dam. This water shortage has been triggered by global warming which refers to excessive carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Most people are yet to grasp the full dimensions of global warming and thus remain complacent (Ellman, p. 1). The Las Vegas water shortage is compounded by the fact that about ninety percent of its water comes from the river Colorado that is threatened by drought. Therefore there is the need to look for alternative water supplies for the city (Moran & Hinman, p. 1).
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography did a study recently that predicted Lake Mead could run dry by the year 2021 unless the climatic conditions improve. The possibility of the water supplies failing to produce hydroelectricity by 2017 is 50 percent the study added (Bradbury, p. 1). This means that the city’s authority needs to take measures to reduce global warming. This initiative should involve the government and individual people as well because it is a national security issue. The country has had to rely on foreign countries for its oil supply and soon may have to rely on other countries for its water supply if the current trends continue. Imagine what the consequences of depending on the mercy of another country for your water supply would be. Canada which has the world’s richest water supply, March reported sixty-nine percent of the population in a study showed oppose water exportation. In fact, in 2002 Ottawa province put a ban on water export due to public pressure. Therefore any country having to rely on another for its water supply is dangerous as it may lead to hostilities and eventually war for the precious commodity. This would in turn affect stability and the economy of the countries.
The issue of global warming needs to be addressed immediately. The leaders must be involved by acknowledging that the issue of global warming is a present danger. Carbon emissions must be reduced and the United States is a major culprit of carbon emissions should cooperate with other countries to fight global emissions (Ellman, p. 1).
The residents of Las Vegas should take the responsibility of conserving water seriously to avert the looming possibility of their water sources running dry. Instead of green grass in their lawns, they can look for alternative ways of landscaping which would not require watering like the green grass for example use of lave rocks and cactus. Harvesting of the rainwater should be done on a large scale to conserve water for future usage. Everyone should play their role in ensuring that tomorrow’s generation will have water for use and this can only be ensured by the action we take today.
References
BusinessGreen. Bradbury, Danny. Vegas water watchers raise drought fears. 2009.
Ellman, Robert. “Global Warming & water Shortage in the American Southwest” Intrepid Liberal Journal. 2005. Web.
Moran, Terry and Hinman, Katie. Water Wars: Quenching Las Vegas’ Thirst. ABC News 2007. Web.