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w 0!« A Us Vtfifls HtviiDfl Chbimr of CommfRCf m ? ) Vol. 1, No. 18 B E S U R E T 0 Y O T November 3, 1944 GOOD NEWSi’ oi£r Few General Manager, will begin his associa­tion with the chamber* 6th. Fe has had quite a time finishing his work at BMI, but he is ready to take over the reins for us. His first official meeting with the Board will take place Monday evening. Tu_e sday at our lundheon the members will have a chance to get better acquainted. .VELCOMS, C/iRL. WATER CONFERENCE— S»venty-five representatives of the state, county, city, Las Vegas Land and Water Company, and the U.P. railroad met to discuss^the most fundamental problem confronting Las Vegas — the water supply. Frank Strong was spokesman for the TJ.F. and the water company. Several important points were brought out ~ 1. The state engineer’s office is making studies to determine accurate­ly the amount of water which is available from the underground supply. Will take approximately a year to complete the study. 2. Tests have been made by the water company which show a decline in production in nine of the ten wells owned by them. This decline averaged 4.1$ annually from 1942 to 1944. Pressure decline for corresponding periods is greater in the upper production zone (300 to 500 feet below the surface) than in lower zone (500 to 800 feet). Practically all the wells in the area, xvith the exception of these owned by the water company, are in the upper zone. This decline indicates thats with lack of control of wastage and issuance of new well permits, it will onlybe a matter of a few years until the artesian flow will cease. This does not mean no water will be available for the community — it means that pumps will have to be installed on all wells as the depth of the watershed lowers. 3. The State Engineer, A. M. '’Tom” Smith, advises that studies be started immediately to determine the most practical means of getting water from Lake Mead, and to have this supply available as a standby. 4. Water from Lake Mead would be much more costly than our present water due to purification and softening treatments which are necessary to make it suitable for domestic use; 5. The Las Vegas Land and Water Company expressed their desire to extend their facilities to new sub-divisions, development, etc., in so far as their franchise will permit. 6, The Water Company has not considered going outside the artesian source to develop additional water for the community. They not only will not oppose but will encourage any agency, either private or municipal, who takes steps to procure water from other sources* 7* The State Engineer’s policy is going to be to proceed with extreme caution in granting permits for additional wells in areas that already have a number of existing wells. When the studies they are making have been completed, the engineer xvill know whether or not more water is being withdrawn from the underground reservoir than is being replaced* When this has been determined, the policy will be to grant well permits so long as the amount of water withdrawn does not exceed the recharge. 8. The Water Company would consider selling its interests at a fair price. 9, The general over-all picture looks like this — we have adequate water now for a population of 25,000 and for average industry, provided it is not an industry that requires excessive amounts of water. 10. A committee will be appointed by the chamber to study and investi­gate the problem and to determine the most practical and feasible means of getting more water for the Las Vegas valley. This meeting has made history. It is one of the most constructive steps that has been taken by any group. We say a sincere ’’thanks” to all those people who attended and for the interest which has been expressed by everyone.