Report on Las Vegas water situation from C. E. Swann (Rock Springs, Wyoming) to George B. Pryde, May 29, 1936

Rock Springs - May 29, 1936 Mr. George B. Pryde: In accordance with your letter of May 25, 1936, we have made an examination of the water situation at Las Vegas, Nevada, report of which is rendered herewith: Mr. Jeffers's letter of May 21st requests report on: 1. "Putting down an additional well, including the consideration of the necessities therefor and possibility of such action accomplishing the purposes intended by Mr. Bracken, and 2. "Renewing the pipe line: (a) By programming the renewals over a period of years, or how it should best be handled; (b) Whether it should be renewed in kind or with cast iron pipe." Show below weir measurements of water produced by sources during years 1931, 1934, 1935 and 1936, no record of 1932 and 1933 being available: July,1931 July,1934 June,1935 Apr.,1936 Artesian Well 3,877,632 2,507,040 2,780,697 2,799,360 Big Spring 1,040,498 954,852 1,079,308 1,045,094 Little Spring 913,043 823,680 1,035,763 880.241 TOTAL G.P.D. 5,831,173 4,285,572 4,895,768 4,724,697 It appears from the foregoing that production from Big and Little Springs is comparatively uniform, large fluctuation being in Artesian well. However, it seems safe to assume a continued flow of approximately 2,750,000 gallons per day from this source with total gallonage available from sources shown of approximately 4,700,000 gallons per day. Statement of water consumption by months for year 1935 is shown below: - 2 - By Months of 1935 Town of Las Vegas R.R.Company Jan. 43,641,700 17,166,000 Feb. 46,068,900 17,971,000 Mar. 62,519,700 15,540,000 April 69,536,000 15,275,000 May 87,778,500 15,311,000 June 122,403,500* 13,740,000 July 93,890,600* 17,486,000 Aug. 117,058,600 16,318,000 Sept. 92,097,200 22,164,000 Oct. 72,921,000 22,451,000 Nov. 53,790,400 17,604,000 Dec. 45,731,000 20,347,000 (*) Meter out of order. June readings adjusted in July. It will be noted that during August consumption reached 133,376,600 gallons, an average of 4,302,471 gallons per day. This is 397,529 gallons less than total production shown above, yet it was necessary to operate pump in Railroad yard producing 1,000,000 gallons per day continuously during summer months. This apparent discrepancy is due to the fact that there is 1 7/8 miles of line between point of production and point of meterage from which large losses are sustained. There is also the factor that any water produced in excess of reservoir capacity goes over spillway to ranch and is, of course, not available for distribution. A physical check of this wooden line shows an extremely large number of leaks. Absence of any large pools in vicinity of lines indicates soil is very porous and is carrying away water to such an extent that it is impossible to even estimate amount of line loss where lines are covered over. Replacement of present 16" wooden stave pipe line will assist in alleviating these conditions, but whether or not this will suffice is problematical. Estimate of future requirements is rather difficult due to unusual conditions prevailing on account of the construction of Boulder Dam. Ordinarily, some estimate can be made based on growth during number of past years or on the - 3 - growth of other cities having similar conditions. In the present instance, there has been a fairly steady growth since the rather abnormal conditions in 1931, due to commencing of large scale operations at Boulder Dam, construction of Railroad branch, and other work incidental thereto. The present extensive building activity is minimized somewhat, as it is undoubtedly due to Governmental loans. It seems to be the consensus of opinion here that there will be a continued small but steady growth. There seems little to support this view, taking into consideration the large number of residents as compared to comparatively small number on industrial payroll. It is our understanding that there are only 400 men living in Las Vegas on the Railroad payroll. The city is apparently largely supported by tourists, and this will probably fall off somewhat as interest in Boulder Dam commences to subside. We are advised that, with the advent of cheaper power, there is a possibility of a smelter's being located at Las Vegas, which would assist materially in adding to a more permanent growth. Homes recently completed and those under construction are high-class residences, located on large lots, most of which are being landscaped, and will require large additional quantities of water. In addition to this, many homes in the older residential district, not previously having lawns, are now being planted, and there appears to be a general feeling of civic pride in beautifying their places, all of which adds to an already excessive demand. The additional well, if constructed, should produce approximately as much as present artesian well, and would take care of future requirements as well as provide sufficient overflow for the continued operation of the ranch, which seems advisable. This would relieve the constant apprehension of a water shortage during summer months, and provide adequate fire protection. In view of the com-paratively small additional investment required, and the benefits to be derived, it would seem that the expenditure should be made. - 4 - Item 2. Renewing pipe line. The pipe line from settling basin to reservoir, and from reservoir to a point shown on attached print where pipe line crosses old Tonopah Highway, is in deplorable condition, and should be replaced at once. There can be no question but that it should be replaced by cast iron pipe. The present wooden line appears to have been hacked by an axe at one point, shot through with a .22 bullet at another, burnt in several places, and is exposed to vandalism or accidental brush fires at any time. It will be noted from attached print that the proposed plan contemplates laying of new line from old Tonopah Highway on a different alignment than present line so that it will enter the city six blocks north of present entrance. This will provide better distribution and equalization of pressure and a safety factor in having two points of ingress instead of one, as at present. The plan contemplates laying of 16-inch line rather than 24-inch, as stated in Mr. Knickerbocker's letter of April 4th, which would effect a proportionate decrease in expenditure required. If this plan is approved, it would necessitate laying of line in not more than two installments. It appears imperative that section from reservoir to old Highway be laid this year. If desired, construction of that section from Highway to Stewart Street could be deferred until next year, as present line from Highway to master meter in Railroad yard is in somewhat better condition than balance of the line. In connection with present wood lines, sections which have been re-moved indicate that sand in water has had an extremely abrasive effect, causing deep incisions which, no doubt, cause high friction loss. At such times as it becomes necessary to replace distribution lines, it should be done with cast iron pipe. General: The extremely large per capita consumption is due to a number of contributing factors: - 5 - First, the existing State Law prohibiting use of meters or other measuring devices for water furnished individual users in cities in excess of 4,500 population. Second, extreme climatic conditions, combined with long growing season and a highly porous soil. Third, large leakage losses due to wooden lines. Fourth, inability of Water Company to place any restrictions on water usage without passage of a City Ordinance, and lack of any cooperation from Civic Authorities. While this has been true in the past, an Ordinance has now been passed which becomes effective in June, and which contains the provisions as outlined in the Las Vegas Evening Review Journal of May 5, 1936, as follows: "The Las Vegas city commission passed for first reading an ordinance designed to prohibit the waste of water during the summer months, and establishing penalties of $50 fine or 25 days in jail for its violation. "Under the ordinance, the waste of water is declared to be unlawful and is defined as: "1. Permitting a hydrant, tap, cock or valve connected with any water system to leak onto the ground or into the sink, bowl, toilet or tub connected with a sewer, cesspool, sump or any other opening, after the person has been notified to remedy the leak. "2. Permitting the water from any water system to flow from any hose, tap, valve, hydrant, pipe or cock directly into any sewer or cesspool after notice or knowledge thereof, without first putting such water to beneficial use. "3. Permitting or causing the water from any water system to flow into any public street or alley within the city or upon the lot or land of another after notice thereof. "4. The waste of water in any manner by any person, corporation or association without first putting same to beneficial use. "5. Permitting with knowledge, water to escape before beneficial use from any pipe, drain, or other conveyor, either above or below the surface of the ground. "The ordinance will be read for the second time at the June meeting of the board and become effective then." This will no doubt prove helpful, but in order to prove effective will necessitate petroling city to detect wastage, and examinations should be made from time to time of household facilities to develop whether or not leakage - 6 - exists. At Rock Springs, where these things are attended to promptly due to meterage, ninety per cent of complaints investigated are due to leaks in lavatories causing excessive bills. While present City Administration was elected on a "Municipal Ownership Program" we have been advised that they have changed their attitude toward the Water Company, although still antagonistic toward the Light & Power Company. This is no doubt due to the possibility of securing cheap power within the near future from Boulder Dam. Their attitude toward the Water Company is tempered somewhat by the fact that Governmental loans for the purchase of Municipal plants ere not as readily available as in the past, and by the lack of any adequate source of water supply. This change in policy is substantiated by passage of Ordinance above referred to. Mr. Knickerbocker's letter shows revenue of L. V. L. & W. Co. as having increased 1931 to 1935 35.9%, while consumption increased during the same period 39.9%- This is true, but it will be noted from figures shown below that the greater part of increase in revenue occurred 1931 to 1932. This increase is due in part to increase in number of consumers and in part to in-crease in rates, while there has been a constant increase in consumption of water each year. No. % Revenue Gallons % Consumers Inc. Received Inc. Furnished Inc. 1931 1590 $38,005.11 650,000,000 1932 1801 13.28 50,887.45 33.9 756,919,000 16.5 1933 1837 2.00 50,865.91 - 814,096,600 7.5 1934 1883 2.50 51,690.98 1.6 876,933,000 7.7 1935 1886 - 51,664.02 - 907,437,300 3.5 This continued increase in consumption is common to all flat rate systems and will have to be curbed, in addition to providing an increased source of supply. We wish to commend Mr. Bracken and his force for the courtesy and co-operation extended during the progress of this examination.