[Code Stemi]

Let's talk water. What do you all think of this proposal? I think it's a good idea to help further secure sustained water resources here in Southern Nevada. Grass such as in the image below, should be replaced with xeriscaping. Further, a water shortage is expected to be declared next year due to the fact the surface level of Lake Mead continues to decline.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A desert city built on a reputation for excess and indulgence wants to become a model for restraint and conservation with a first-in-the-nation policy banning grass that nobody walks on.

Las Vegas-area water officials have spent two decades trying to get people to replace thirsty greenery with desert plants, and now they’re asking the Nevada Legislature to outlaw roughly 40% of the turf that’s left.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority estimates there are almost 8 square miles (21 square kilometers) of “nonfunctional turf” in the metro area — grass that no one ever walks on or otherwise uses in street medians, housing developments and office parks.

They say this ornamental grass requires four times as much water as drought-tolerant landscaping like cactus and other succulents. By ripping it out, they estimate the region can reduce annual water consumption by roughly 15% and save about 14 gallons (53 liters) per person per day.

https://apnews.com/article/legislatu...08a635e2c98346

https://www.ktnv.com/news/further-dr...ge-declaration

[Mike from back east]

Added a poll to make it easy to see the extent people are for or against the idea.

[tijlover]

I had a neighbor in Winchester who insisted on having a green grass lawn:

"I moved here from Southern CA, I had a nice green lawn there and I'm going to have a nice green lawn here no matter how much the water bill is."

If you drive up into the historical districts of Phoenix you'll see green grass lawns everywhere, they refuse to surrender!

Here in Tucson, if you see a house with a green grass lawn, consider it an hallucination, as water is very expensive here.

I'm lucky enough to live in a 55+ mobile home co-op, established 1963, and back then, you had your own well, and due to that, we have nice grassy areas in different parts of the community, and I love it, and my ferret loves it even more.

I lived at Greenbriar Townhouse complex, 433 units, near DI/Pecos, established 1969, and even when I left there 2-3 years ago, there were green lawns everywhere. The residents insist that green grass remains, as the community is called Greenbriar and not Brownbriar! Up the street at Heritage Square South and Braewood, the green lawns also remain as these communities all date back to 1970 or so.

[WorldKlas]

Yes, banned for using city water. Wells or grey water no ban.

[Hemlock140]

I see the point but it's not really fair, when you consider that people topping up their swimming pools to replace evaporation loss use more water than it takes to water a small lawn. Also, people could use gray water on their lawn, or plant a drought resistant type. Better to simply have an inclining rate structure and charge a lot more for water above the average inside use, 80-100 GPD, and let the consumer choose how they use the higher cost water or not.

[RationalExpectations]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I see the point but it's not really fair, when you consider that people topping up their swimming pools to replace evaporation loss use more water than it takes to water a small lawn.

It turns out that's not true. It takes more water to keep grass green than the evaporation replenishment amount for a swimming pool of the same surface area.

[RationalExpectations]

I voted to ban such ornamental grass, but I think it should be conditional upon the State of California also banning it in the locations served by the Colorado River. After all, I don't see why we should ban it just so California has more water to waste. Ditto with Arizona and Mexico.

[longviewJoe]

I thought Nevada was about less restrictions and less laws!? I vote NO ban! Let California enact such a law but not Nevada! If municipalities want to rip out ornamental lawns, as was done in my almost former home in California, then so beit. Don't need a law for it though!

[Code Stemi]

Originally Posted by longviewJoe

I thought Nevada was about less restrictions and less laws!? I vote NO ban! Let California enact such a law but not Nevada! If municipalities want to rip out ornamental lawns, as was done in my almost former home in California, then so beit. Don't need a law for it though!

What? So what is your solution to our water problems here? Your post comes off as very much NIMBY.

[antinimby]

Don’t ban it but make it costly. Anyone who wants it can pay for it.