The area is also one of the driest regions in the nation. If the trend continues, Las Vegas could run out of water by 2010. Using wastewater conserves the limited fresh water supply for human consumption, but it poses a threat to vegetation if used improperly.
Wastewater contains high amounts of salts that can easily kill plants.
Cooperative Extension horticulturists offer wastewater seminars for landscape professionals and homeowners. Before the program, no classes on proper usage were taught in Las Vegas. Nine Las Vegas area golf courses are now involved in a research project on the use of recycled wastewater. The impact of using recycled wastewater is enormous. By using wastewater on a cyclic irrigation system during peak demand months, researchers have been able to free up as many as 60 days in which fresh water would not be needed for these applications, all without loss in vegetation color, health or durability.