SNWA Programs Help Combat Heat Islands

 

Climate experts predict that by mid-century Southern Nevada will experience more than 100 days a year with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. This is expected to increase urban heat island conditions where surfaces and structures like block walls, asphalt, sidewalks and buildings radiate heat that has been absorbed throughout the day. This causes overnight temperatures to remain high, allowing temperatures to climb faster each day.

 

While the urban heat island (UHI) effect is not unique to Southern Nevada, experts agree that shade from trees and plants is one of the most effective strategies to reduce its impact. Unfortunately, some existing tree species in our valley such as the Afghan pine, purple leaf plumb, and others will struggle to adapt to the extended heat conditions expected in the future.    

 

As a result, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) launched a Tree Enhancement Program that offers $100 for every new, qualifying tree planted during a grass conversion project. The tree rebate is an additional incentive for property owners replacing grass landscapes under the SNWA’s Water Smart Landscapes Rebate Program (WSL).

 

Since 2023, more than 5,000 new trees have been planted through the program. Once mature, these new trees will add two million square feet of additional canopy coverage to our community.

 

The SNWA has also funded the installation of 1,000 new trees planted in underserved areas of the community in partnership with ImpactNV, a local non-profit dedicated to enhancing Southern Nevada’s long-term sustainability.

 

For more information about the WSL and Tree Enhancement programs, visit snwa.com.

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Technology at Work: SNWA Sets Standards for Reliable Water System

 

Boldly going where very few technicians have gone before, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) recently began deploying a new leak detection and pipeline inspection tool to help save resources, enhance safety, and conserve water by assessing infrastructure conditions even in tough-to-reach places.

 

The SNWA’s Compact Pipe Ranger is a robotic pipe crawler system that helps engineers inspect the interior of water pipelines ranging from 8 to 72 inches in diameter, using a high-definition camera with a live feed for real-time observations.

 

The pipe crawler is effective at verifying and locating minor pipeline leaks before they become major issues. This allows SNWA engineers to strategically rehabilitate pipelines and extend their service life by up to 50 years. The new technology also enables engineers to inspect pipelines without fully draining them.

 

Another inspection tool leveraged by SNWA engineers is a remote-operated submarine. Like the pipe crawler, the submarine is equipped with a high-definition camera and lights, which gives the remote operator a clear, unobstructed view of all sides of the pipeline. It also can be deployed in full pipelines, which helps Southern Nevada conserve even more of our community’s water.

 

While these tools are hard at work below the ground, residents can do their part to find and repair leaks in their homes. The SNWA offers tips and how-to videos at snwa.com to help you find the most common sources of household leaks including your main service line, landscape irrigation system, toilets, faucets, water softeners, and pools and spas. Fixing household leaks can go a long way toward conserving water in our desert community.

 

For more information about your water system, visit snwa.com.

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