Shallow Groundwater Extraction Strategies in the Las Vegas Valley, Nevada

The Las Vegas Valley faces severe water scarcity due to Nevada’s limited Colorado River allocation and an arid climate. Population growth and prolonged drought have intensified these constraints, necessitating alternative resource strategies. This project evaluated a strategy to make use of brackish, shallow groundwater (from the top 30 feet below ground surface) located in the central and east-central parts of the valley. Its objective was to extract lower quality shallow groundwater for use as an alternative to fresh water currently being used for some applications that require little to no treatment. Dust suppression is among the most promising of such potential uses. Studies indicate that brackish water can be more effective at dust suppression than water alone. This project evaluated three shallow groundwater extraction strategies: A) a mobile pumping approach; B) a fixed facility at Horseman’s Park’s 12-inch well; and C) a sucker-rod pumping approach which was eventually determined impractical compared to the other options. Hydraulic limitations and market availability informed pump selection, with submersible pumps identified as the most practical solution. The mobile approach designed a simple pump and hose assembly for a water truck driver to run overnight, filling their tank while off-duty. The Horseman’s Park used a similar submersible pump and included onsite storage. Cost estimates were prepared for mobile extraction from 2-inch and 4-inch diameter wells, and the 12-inch Horseman’s Park plan. They calculated initial capital costs of $621, $2,350, and $101,000, respectively. The 2-inch wells approach had significant long-term risk and high expected operating costs that would likely offset its low initial expense. This was because the market research identified only one pump that could fit in such a narrow well casing, and it had projected a life expectancy of about three months. The Horseman’s Park fixed extraction plan can use similar submersible pumps but requires significant capital investment to construct permanent onsite storage and delivery infrastructure. The mobile extraction approach was ultimately recommended for most wells because of its flexibility which could best support construction activities that have shifting project locations. Fixed facilities are appropriate for sites where consistent, long-term demand is expected, as is the case with Horseman’s Park. A phased implementation is recommended. The mobile approach could be started as pilot program with a small number of trucks. Well testing is also recommended to obtain more water quality. Both testing and pilot program operators should document achievable flow rates, recovery speeds, and water quality findings to build a database of well characteristics that can be mapped and referenced for full-scale deployment.