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Vol. 2, No. 49 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, WEDNESJBk , JULY 18, 1951 LJ Water Company /n}£Y s<zMove to *Freeze9 Las Vegas Progress Alarmed over an impending water shortage in Las Vegas, Union Pacific officials disclosed yesterday they are seeking approval by the Nevada Public Service Commission to “ freeze” delivery of water after Aug. 15. If granted, the application will cut off all future growth of Las Vegas, - since new construction industry or business would be prevented from locating here by lack of water. The move to stop all further extension of water company lines was made, according to Edward E. Bennett, a U. P. railroad repre­sentative, because it has become obvious from engineering reports that the artesian supply simply is not adequate for further de­velopment of Las Vegas. Bennett said that in fairness to present water consumers, /“the available supply must be con­served for them, and not spread any thinner.*’ Bennett was here to confer with city officials and other civic lead­ers on the company’s water con­servation plans. He said that if the PSC grants the company’s request, the water company will refuse to extend water lines to new subdivisions after Aug. 15, and will deny new connections to current users after Sept. 1. Bennett said the principal cause of action at this time is because of the shortage of snowfall in the mountains last-winter, which amounted to only 10 percent of normal. He explained that by 1952, this condition will begin to be felt in the artesian supply, which is recharged annually from mountain snows. The official said that at present Las .Vegas water users are draw­ing more than one million gallons per hour during portions of the day, which is far beyond the ca-pafiity- ftf.thevsystem.,ta-«e^|eniish-from the existing supply. ? N E V A D A