Nevada Approves Water Deal With Arizona

Nevada officials approved a $330 million water-sharing pact with Arizona designed to ensure supplies for tens of thousands of new homes planned for the thriving Las Vegas metropolitan area over the next few years.

Under the deal approved Thursday, Nevada will buy 1.25 million acre-feet of Arizona's Colorado River water allocation over the next 15 years. An acre-foot – the amount of water that can cover an acre to a depth of 1 foot – is enough to supply up to two households for a year.

There are no plans to increase rates for current Nevada customers. The costs instead will be paid by new customers tapping into the water system.

Nevada officials called the pact an important "bridge" to help the area get through a drought. The pact will also provide time to tap underground water.

Source: The Associated Press