May 18, 2005

Under a plan being developed by county and city authorities, Southern Nevada's increasing flow of wastewater may be pumped to the bottom of Lake Mead.

A recent report by the Clean Water Coalition on the migration of dyes in the lake suggests the $585 million proposal might be the solution.

The coalition is an agency composed of the Clark County Water Reclamation District and the cities of Las Vegas and Henderson.

Under the new plan, they would pipe treated effluent from sewage treatment plants 250 ft down and over three miles from shore -- and disperse it through a series of smaller pipes across the bottom of the lake.

Drinking water contamination is unlikely, according to officials, because wastewater is treated by the Southern Nevada Water Authority before it arrives at the tap.

Source: The Associated Press   May 18, 2005