Stiffened water restrictions may soon spell an end to new golf course development in Southern Nevada. Currently, the Las Vegas Valley has more than 65 public and private golf courses, generating 4,481 jobs with an estimated $891 million annual economic impact, says John Restrepo, principal of the Restrepo Consulting Group, a Las Vegas-based research firm.
That's less than half the number of courses found in other major cities such as metropolitan Phoenix. Most of Southern Nevada's golf courses, however, use potable water to keep their tees and fairways green, utilizing up to 1 million gallons a day during the hot summer months.
But the last five years have been the driest on record for the Colorado River, Clark County's main water source, reports the United States Geological Survey. As a result, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) is removing the equivalent of a football field of grass every day from front lawns, golf courses and playgrounds to save on outdoor watering. In fact, the agency is spending $6.37 million to extend the water intake pipeline at Lake Mead, where the level has dropped over 80 feet since 1999.
"Every customer group has been asked to do something different during the drought, we all have to pull together," says Doug Bennett, SNWA's water conservation manager. "This is the first time that we have budgeted golf courses, setting a threshold for the industry."
The district has limited golf courses to 6.5-acre feet of water annually, after which rates skyrocket. That's one-acre-foot less than the previous allotment, which has made it difficult for some course owners to maintain a green environment.
"We must go back to the higher number or the soil will break down and the turf will brown," says Gary Goett, developer of the Shadow Creek and Southern Highlands golf courses. "Golf courses do not waste water because it's too expensive. And yet they've twisted it down even farther."
Although only 21 percent of all local golf courses use treated sewage water for irrigation, all future courses must now do so if available. In addition, Clark County is limiting new golf course construction to only 45 acres worth of turf, which means landscaping fairways with rock and drought-tolerant plants.
"We already know that some courses are very successful using less than 6.5 acre feet," Bennett says. "[They are allowed to pull water after 6.5 acre feet, but the rates increase. Š [It's] a financial incentive for them find other alternatives."
Recently, the Las Vegas Valley Water District raised rates by 9 percent for 14 local golf courses using potable water, increasing fees from $1.69 to $1.85 per thousand gallons. And the agency plans to ratchet rates again to $2.10 per thousand gallons by January. And while the district says that using recycled water will improve efficiency and save money, the costs associated with building and maintaining those facilities is significantly higher.
"You have to use twenty percent more water when it's reclaimed in order to flush-out the high salt content," says Bill Walters, developer of several local golf courses including the Bali Hai Golf Club at 5160 Las Vegas Boulevard S. "Additionally, the salt water clogs sprinklers, erodes pipes and prematurely wears-out maintenance equipment, resulting in higher operating costs."
Reclaimed golf courses must also add four-to-six-inch layers of sand before placing down any sod. The sand acts as a natural filter for the high sodium content in the water. As it stands, many golf course owners are disgruntled by the Clark County Commission's decision to now limit their water use since the developments plans were previously approved unconditionally.
"I don't see any golf courses being built for awhile whether it's potable or non-potable water," Walters says. "Basically, golf courses are now living on life support from stored nutrients in the soil. If we don't get back to a 7.5-acre-foot water allotment, you're going to see golf courses dying anyways."
Brown golf courses could be devastating for Southern Nevada's economy. Approximately 355,000 visitors golfed during their stay in Las Vegas last year, a 2 percent drop from 2000, reports the Las Vegas Convention Visitors Authority. Should Southern Nevada's golfing industry suffer a 25 percent loss in activity, it could translate into a $222.7 million economic impact, Restrepo says.
In addition, many home buyers who paid lot premiums of $100,000 up to $3 million for residences adjacent to a golf course could subsequently see their property values plummet.
"If the courses were to turn brown or go very ugly that would be huge concern for property owners along the golf courses, and, yes, it would jeopardize their home values," Goett says. "We're between a rock and hard place. We can't cut back anymore. And there is only so much we can do. [But] we are working with the water district, and we hope to resolve this situation."
Source: Las Vegas Business Press