Quality of Life Indicators

clean & available water data

Per Capita Water Consumption
water conservation
Truckee River water quality

Per Capita Water Consumption

Water consumption comes down in years of drought, and has not been over 200 gallons per capita per day since the late 1980’s. Usage was up again after the 1997 flood. Water conservation efforts are a key requirement of the region’s agreements under TROA (Truckee River Operating Agreement). Water conservation helps keep the costs down for consumers since we do not have to build a new water treatment plant and we can delay finding new water supply sources.

water conservation

Using our limited water resources wisely is critical in our high desert environment, where the bulk of water supplied goes to residential, summer outdoor watering uses.  There is a reduction in annual use per connection during dry years, followed by an increased use per connection in non-dry years, according to July 2007, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Water Conservation Plan.

According to TMT’s December 2007 community survey of Washoe County residents, 38% reported watering on their assigned days; 23.8% reported having xeriscape landscaping; 11% have installed water saving plumbing (shower heads or toilets); while 5.4% reporting taking no measures to conserve water.

Truckee River water quality

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has established that the Truckee River is an impaired waterway under the 303 Act, setting the Total Maximum Daily Loads for phosphorus, nitrogen, and dissolved solids. The river pollutants or stressors include temperature, total phosphorus, and turbidity. In 2006, Truckee River water quality was improved. In low water years, we often see this result. Less water carries fewer pollutants into the river. In our next wet year, we can expect to see increased levels of pollutants. Truckee River

According to the state Department of Environmental Protection, water quality trading in Nevada is currently being implemented among the point sources that discharge to the Las Vegas Wash and the Truckee River. Over the next couple of years, further opportunities for trading in the Truckee River watershed will be investigated. Before trading can occur, pollution sources must be accounted for and their behavior understood.  Water quality trading