How much water is in Mesquite NV??

How much water is in Mesquite?  Should it affect your decision to purchase a home in or around Mesquite NV … or even in Southern Nevada??

This question was asked to Mike Winters at luncheon hosted by the Mesquite Real Estate Association. Mr. Winters went on to explain that the City of Mesquite has a number of municipal wells that it uses to pump water from an underground aquifer. He said that currently the Mesquite Water District is allowed to use up to 12,000 acre/ft of water. The City of Mesquite has a  population of about 20,000 people and is currently using about 6,400 acre/ft of water annually.

Mr. Winters explained that the aquifer we draw water from is huge. Its northern most point is along the Central Utah and Nevada boarder. With the Virgin Valley as the farthest southern point. It is also the lowest elevation point at the Virgin River and much of the water collects into our basin. According to Mr. Winters, this is why Las Vegas has its eyes on Mesquite water.

Las Vegas has looked into finding a way to transport this water to Las Vegas to support them. Since the real estate boom Las Vegas has been pulling much of its water from Lake Mead. Unfortunately with the increased demand for power combined with the current drought we have seen, Lake Mead is dropping.  Las Vegas has announced that they have purchased hundreds of thousands of water shares in California that they will be using to quench the needs of Las Vegas Nevada for years to come.

Mr. Winters explained that it would be extremely costly for Las Vegas Water District to build the infrastructure  (pipes, pumps etc.) for 80 miles for 6,000 or even for 20,000 acre/ft of water.  It would not pencil out.

The question was asked, what is the ideal population for Mesquite in terms of water? and if the City of Mesquite would “cap” growth at 40,000 people? Mr. Winter responded that he could not answer the question. He said that the population of Mesquite NV could reach 100,000 and larger… in terms of water. When the population hits approximately 40,000 people and use the 12,000 acre/ft that we are rationed to use, then new surveys and studies will need to be done. New wells will then need to be drilled in other areas most likely to the north of Mesquite.

Mr. Winters referred to the 40,000 acre/ft we are currently using as “cheap water.” He said the the cost of surveys, permits and infrastructure for drilling is significantly higher now. As the Real Estate in Mesquite NV continues to expand and as the city grows, so will the water prices. The price for water in Mesquite is still and will continue to be less expensive than Las Vegas.

This article was written by Brandon Park of the Mesquite Real Estate Team of Bowler Realty. Bowler Realty has local Mesquite Realtors that know the Mesquite Real Estate Market.