On March 31, 2010 the Western Regional Water Commission approved a report demonstrating compliance with the new procedures under Washoe County Ballot Question WC#3 (“Save Our Water”).

The report states that sustainable water resources of approximately 183,200 acre feet per year are more than adequate to serve a 2030 population of 590,500 based on the 2010 Consensus Forecast.  The model projects that to support a population of approximately 590,500 requires a water supply of approximately 142,000 acre feet.  Therefore, the actual 183,200 acre feet of estimated water will support a population of 741,000.  The Regional Water Commission was required to share the findings with Reno, Sparks, Washoe County and Regional Planning by May.  Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) assisted by re-running its model using the draft Consensus Forecast population and producing the building inventory and water demand projections.
   Washoe County Ballot Question WC#3, which was passed by 121,555 voters in July 2008, stated that the Truckee Meadows Regional Plan be amended to reflect and to include a policy or polices requiring that local government land use plans be based upon and in balance with identified and sustainable water resources available within Washoe County.  The Builders Association of Northern Nevada concurred, but felt any action would be redundant considering the authority of the State Engineer to insure proper water utilization.  We again became concerned when AB 119, introduced during the 2009 Nevada Legislative session, mirrored WC#3 in many ways but included language which would have blocked growth.  The Builders Association of Northern Nevada was successful in defeating the bill.  The Builders Association of Northern Nevada has worked with Regional Planning and the Water Planning Commission to confirm amendments which define the regional process to compare the Consensus Forecast population to the population that can be supported by sustainable water resources.
   Washoe County Department of Community Development is responsible for providing the Consensus Forecast every two years which is used by Regional Transportation, Planning Departments, Water Authorities and others to predict growth.  Washoe County Water Resources provides long range water planning by identifying surface and ground water in selected hydrographic basins within the region which must be consistent with the State Engineers declaration.  TMWA has developed a logistic model process to produce long range water demand including parameters such as building inventory, historical water use, and demand functions which is published in the 2010 -2030 Water Resource Plan.

   In conclusion, the builders and citizens of our community can be confident that local and State agencies are working together to identify sustainable water resources to meet the needs of the future.  The Builders Association of Northern Nevada will continue to work with local governments to address the many complex issues to maintain the superior quality of life we enjoy in Northern Nevada.  A special “Thanks” to the many people that worked so hard to produce the current water plan.

(For additional information on the Sustainable Water report or on other policy issues facing the building industry, contact Jess Traver, Director of Government Affairs for the Builders Association of Northern Nevada at 775-329-4611 )