CITY OF LAS VEGAS POST FIRE WATER SITUATION FAQ’s
Q: What
is contributing to the increased sediment in the city’s raw water?
A: Our watershed
experienced a high severity burn due to the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire destroying a large portion of the vegetation that holds back sediment and debris. As the monsoons came and rains increased, sediment flowed through drainages into the river increasing the suspended solids and turbidity.
Q: What chemicals are used to pre-treat and treat Gallinas River water?
A: Aluminum sulphate, polymer and sodium hypochlorite.
Q: Is our tap water safe to drink?
A: Yes. City staff regularly test water and report the water quality results to the New Mexico Environment Department Drinking Water Bureau to ensure compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act Standards.
Q: Would a state-of-the-art facility be paid by city, state or federal funds?
A: City is committed to holding the federal government responsible for the resulting costs of the fire.
Q: How was the $2.25 million dollars the Governor committed used?
A: These funds were never provided directly to the City, they were authorized for Department of Finance to use on the city’s behalf to pay for the cost of the Pre-Treatment system. State will seek reimbursement from FEMA.
Q: What is our current state in the drought contingency plan?
A: Stag
e 6
No activation of new water taps for the duration of the emergency. Fire Department shall make an effort to use foam or other types of additives in combination with water to minimize the amount of water needed for fire operations whenever practical. The termination of service for any violation of the water conservation plan after 3rd offense. Large commercial customers are asked to delay projects consuming large quantities of water where possible.
Q: With the change in drought contingency levels will the city be limiting water to 100 gallons per household?
A: In Stages 7 and later there are limits based on the number of residents in the home. Stages 8 has a 33 Gallons per person per day requirement and Stage 9 has a 22 Gallons per person per day requirement
Q: Will our water rates increase to pay for these fire related infrastructure improvements?
A: City of Las Vegas cannot commit to never raising rates. The City will continue to seek funding for infrastructure improvements from all available sources to avoid rate increases.
Q: How long will it take to get back to normal?
A: It could take years to recover from the recent emergencies as trees will continue to fall and sediment will continue to be washed into the river during the upcoming monsoon seasons.
Q: What can effluent water be used on?
A: Ef
fluent water can be used for landscape irrigation & on animals and cannot be used on human consumables.
Q: Where do we fill tanks with effluent water?
A: Residential users can fill up at the effluent water station (purple) located at 905 12th Street. Commercial users can fill up at the Wastewater treatment plant on the I25 frontage road south of the city.
Q: When did the pretreatment system go online?
A: September 5, 2022.
Q: How much is the pretreatment system producing?
A: On the average the system is producing 1.2 million gallons per day.
Q: Will cold winter weather impact the pretreatment system?
A: It could so the vendor is working on winterizing the system.
Q: What is the status of the well field?
A: Three o
f our wells are operational. Two are in the process of being equipped.
Q: How much longer will the city be holding water distributon?
A: Distribution is currently scheduled until the end of October and as long as FEMA supplies the water.
Q: Where does the bottled water from the distribution come from?
A: FEMA provides the bottled water. The water sources vary.
Q: When is the next water bottle distribution?
A: Water bottle distribution takes place every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Recreation Center.
Q: Is there a place to recycle plastic?
A: Currently there is not a place in Las Vegas to recycle plastic. City is coordinating with a vendor for service.
Q: Does the cit
y provide low flow shower heads?
A: Yes. Water conservation kits can be picked up at the Customer Service office.
Q: Is there a rebate for low flow toilets
A: Yes. Rebate form is available at the Customer Service division.
Q: Are hotels and motels conserving water?
A: Yes. Hotels and motels have closed their swimming pools, reducing towel and linen usage and cutting water consumption by at least 10%.
Q: Are restaurants and car washes conserving water?
A: Yes. Restaurants have been asked to limit use of water, dish washing and to provide water only upon request or provide bottled water. Car washes voluntarily closed during stage 7.
Q: Are the larger users conserving water?
A: Yes. Large water users have been asked to reduce water usage by 10%. Dialysis & The World College have reduced consumption by 30%
Q: What is the status of the treated water standpipe restrictions?
A: The treated water standpipe is open for account holders
Q: Why are city parks being watered during water conservation stages?
A: Parks are watered with reuse water, which does not impact treated water availability, to protect a large public investment as well as providing shade and reducing runoff.