Clark County Picks Flamingo Center for Water Pilot
The Flamingo Water Resource Center will host a study on treating shallow groundwater to supplement the Las Vegas Valley's water supply.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Gambling
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Should Southern Nevada invest in treating shallow groundwater to expand its water supply?
The Clark County Commission approved the Flamingo Water Resource Center as the site of a pilot study on shallow groundwater treatment. The study would assess whether that water can be treated and used to supplement the local supply.
Why it matters
Southern Nevada's water resources are limited, which is prompting the search for additional supplies. The pilot could extend the valley's water resources by making use of shallow groundwater.
The Flamingo Water Resource Center is the largest treatment facility in the Clark County Water Reclamation District, and the pilot will be led by the Desert Research Institute and Ardurra Group, Inc. The group is seeking a National Science Foundation grant, and no award has been reported.
The players
Clark County Commission
The county's elected governing body, which approved the Flamingo Water Resource Center as the pilot site and oversees regional services including water.
Desert Research Institute
A research institution in the Nevada System of Higher Education that conducts environmental and water science studies and is leading the pilot.
Ardurra Group, Inc.
An engineering and consulting firm co-leading the pilot study on shallow groundwater treatment.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
A public research university in Las Vegas that is partnering on the pilot study.
The details
The pilot would treat brackish water or wastewater to extend water resources using shallow groundwater in the Las Vegas Valley. The Desert Research Institute and Ardurra Group, Inc. will lead the work with UNLV, UNR, and New Mexico Tech.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 4, 2026: Clark County Commission approved the Flamingo facility as the pilot site.
Legal Context
The pilot sits within Southern Nevada's long effort to stretch water supply beyond its Colorado River allocation, managed through the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Shallow groundwater treatment would add a local source to a system that has relied heavily on imported river water.
Residents of the Las Vegas Valley may eventually see a new local water source if the pilot succeeds, but the study is at an early stage. Any change to the household supply would depend on results and approvals that have not yet been made.
The takeaway
Stretching a limited desert water supply often means looking beyond imported river water to local sources. Watch for the grant decision and pilot results to see whether shallow groundwater becomes part of the valley's future supply.
Further reading
For more on the city's wider Las Vegas Gambling scene, browse the Gambling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox5vegas.
Live Poll
Should Southern Nevada invest in treating shallow groundwater to expand its water supply?
