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LLaass VVeeggaass, EvNeevnaidnag Review-Journal October 22, 1941 \ Good News of Progress Prospects for solution of Las Vegas’ two major problems, water supply and sewage disposal, were considerably brighter today as a result of the combined efforts of various groups working toward definite and early action on both. As a result of conferences between F.H.A. authorities, officials of the local water company, and representatives of the city planning board, it has been definitely established that | the local utility is in a position to immediately supply service to 500 additional homes, to take care of at least 300 more upon completion, and that it will commence investigations to deter­mine the extent to Which the local water supply can be ex­panded with a view to meeting, if possible, the demands of the 2,000 or 2,500 homes necessary for magnesium plant workers. As a result of conferences between city officials, a cham­ber of commerce committee, F.H.A. authorities and McNeil Housing Company representatives, the sewer program" has been advanced to the point where it now appears possible that a one hundred per cent federal grant can be obtained to install the facilities, and a complete survey will be made to design a new system to take care of anticipated future growth. It has been these two factors which, from the start, have ! stood in the way of Las Vegas’ efforts to secure construction of j all magnesium plant housing. Had Washington been assured at the start, that Las Vegas HAD an ample water supply and would be able to provide necessary sanitary facilities', the new j town would never have been cohsidered. If both can be taken j care of with assurance of sufficient capacity, it is still possible that all the housing can be brought here. The tragic part of the water situation is, as pointed out by ! company officials yesterday, that IF per capita consumption i * in Las Vegas were held to the average of similar communities ? ...IF ALL WASTE WERE ELIMINATE!)—there would be a; sufficient supply to take care of a city- of 40,000 population. Without restricted use—restricted to actual needs Without j waste—it will be necessary for the water company to develop : additional supplies, which means sinking additional wells. \ Whether this can safely be done without depleting the under- * ground reservoir to a dangerous degree, is something that yet ; remains to be determined. In considering the water problem, then, there are two di­rections of’investigation—additional supply AND conservation ; of the existing supply. Both are equally important. However this may be, the discussions of yesterday have materially speeded a solution of the important problems fac-1 ing the community, which is good news. In concluding this analysis, it should also be stated that!! Boulder City is very much in the housing picture itself. There]: are no water and seWer problems-there, but there is the ques­tion of obtaining necessary land under terms meeting F.H.A. requirements. Boulder City will get a share of the housing1! development—first unit of 40 is already on the way. 11